The President at the LTG Forum: Military mobility is a prerequisite for strengthening European security

On Tuesday, Gitanas Nausėda welcomed the participants of the LTG Forum on Military Mobility and Resilience in Vilnius.

In his opening address, the President noted that the forum is taking place at a particularly critical moment, as war, coercion, and disinformation are reshaping the geopolitical landscape. The Head of State stressed that Ukraine has been defending itself against brutal Russian aggression for more than three years, while security across Europe remains under heavy pressure, especially in the Baltic region and along the eastern flank of the European Union.

"Having learned the hard lessons of history, Lithuania is consistently investing in security and resilience. Our national defense spending is set to stay above 5 percent of GDP until 2030. We are modernizing our armed forces, building a national division, and expanding military infrastructure. Infrastructure in Rūdninkai will be ready for the deployment of a full German brigade as soon as in 2027," the President spoke.

The Head of State underlined that both NATO and the European Union recognize the strategic importance of military mobility and the protection of critical infrastructure. Europe, the President pointed out, needs to swiftly implement a common defense strategy and eliminate regulatory barriers for military movements across national borders.

The President also emphasized the need to adapt civil transport infrastructure for dual use by upgrading strategic roads, railways, bridges, airfields, and ports. Gitanas Nausėda highlighted the significance of the Rail Baltica project, stressing that its funding has to be secured in the next EU multiannual financial framework.

Speaking of national measures, the President highlighted Lithuania's newly introduced green corridor for defense investments, which cuts red tape, accelerates permitting, and facilitates the development of infrastructure for strategic projects. According to Gitanas Nausėda, these steps will help position Lithuania as a reliable hub for the Europe's defense industry.