Joint press conference

Prime Minister Ruginienė,

Dear Inga,

I want to welcome you again to NATO Headquarters; it is great to have you here.

Since 2004, Lithuania has been a valued member of NATO, making important contributions to our shared security.

Lithuania serves as a role model for NATO Allies. You just approved your state budget for 2026, aiming for a record-high 5.38% of GDP on defence spending, already exceeding The Hague Defence Investment Plan.

Lithuania is also one of the top supporters of Ukraine. When measured against GDP, you are the third largest contributor of aid to Ukraine worldwide.

Lithuania is also a welcoming host for many important NATO installations. Our NATO Air Policing has a home at the Šiauliai Air Base. Lithuania permanently hosts a German armoured brigade as part of the NATO Forward Land Forces. And you foster expertise on energy security through the NATO Centre of Excellence in Vilnius.

Lithuania clearly understands that freedom and security demand serious investment. Lithuanians remember suffering under Russian occupation. And know what it means to live with an aggressive Russia as a neighbour.

Prime Minister, I know your own experiences reflect those of your country. Your grandmother lived in Ukraine; your grandfather was deported to Siberia. You spent your childhood holidays in Eastern Ukraine, in a city now destroyed by the Russian full-scale invasion.

Lithuania is shaping its future and leading the way on defence investment, working closely with Allies to ensure our shared readiness, and consistently supporting Ukraine.

As Lithuania continues to play its part, NATO does too. Through our Forward Land Forces, led by Germany. Through Baltic Sentry, helping to protect undersea infrastructure. And through Eastern Sentry, ensuring robust deterrence and defence along the whole of our eastern flank. And most recently through the deployment of a NATO Counter-Hybrid Support Team to support you in dealing with challenges posed by smuggling balloons from Belarus - impacting the security of air traffic along your border and also in your capital.

NATO makes Lithuania safer. And Lithuania makes NATO stronger.

So I want to thank you for your personal leadership. And I look forward to working with you, to keep our deterrence and defence strong and address any challenges we might face.

Again, Inga, thank you so much. Over to you.