Budrys in Paris: Europe’s geopolitical responsibility—deterrence, transatlantic unity, and Ukraine as the key to the continent’s security

On 26 March, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys, who was attending the Paris Defence and Strategy Forum, emphasized that Europe faces historic security challenges today, and that Russia remains a direct and long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security. According to the Minister, the four years since the start of Russia's large-scale aggression against Ukraine have revealed not only European unity but also the mistakes of the West, which continue to have consequences to this day.

The head of Lithuania's diplomacy delivered a keynote address at a high-level international event held under the auspices of French President Emmanuel Macron, in which he analyzed European security challenges.

"For Lithuania, security is not merely an abstract concept. Geography and a painful history have shaped Lithuania's approach to security over the centuries. Living next to revisionist aggressor Russia and Belarus, which is controlled by Russia, we fully understand the scale of the threats-Russia is and will remain the most direct, significant, and long-term threat to the Euro-Atlantic security," said Budrys.

According to the Minister, Russia, acting in concert with other authoritarian states, is making every effort to dismantle the Euro-Atlantic security architecture and reshape it according to its own interests. It began doing so in Ukraine, and no one can be certain how far it will go if it is allowed to continue. Therefore, no European state can expect to remain on the sidelines.

According to Budrys, collective security requires collective efforts. Europe can no longer afford any delay, and defense funding must be increased urgently and significantly. Defense spending targets must translate into real capabilities, and with the NATO summit in Ankara approaching, tangible progress must be demonstrated toward meeting the 5% of GDP defense spending commitment. Lithuania, as a frontline state, already allocates 5.38% of its GDP to defense.

In his speech, the Minister emphasized the vital need for military aid to Ukraine. According to Budrys, if every NATO country allocated at least 0.25% of its GDP to this effort, it would fundamentally change the course of the war and bolster the security of all of Europe.

"The future of Europe is decided in Ukraine. All actions must have a tangible military impact. The collapse of Ukraine would cost far more than the current investments in its victory," said the head of Lithuania's diplomacy.

The Minister also stressed the need to accelerate Ukraine's accession process to the European Union so that the country could join by 2030 at the latest, as this would be the strongest non-military security guarantee for both Ukraine and all of Europe.

In his speech, the Lithuanian Foreign Minister also highlighted the importance of the transatlantic relationship, emphasizing that NATO remains the cornerstone of European security and that a strong U.S. military presence in Europe is irreplaceable.

"Our common goal is clear: Europeans must become capable providers of security-equal partners, not dependents-by assuming greater responsibility for their own defense. NATO countries in Europe must strengthen their capabilities, increase defense spending, and rapidly expand the defense industry. Stronger European "muscle" must complement NATO, not replace it-strengthening the Alliance's cohesion and effectiveness," said Budrys.

In conclusion, the Minister underlined that Europe today stands at a crossroads: to choose deterrence, responsibility, and resilience alongside Ukraine, or to succumb to a dangerous illusion of renewed cooperation with the aggressor, Russia. According to Budrys, history clearly shows which path leads to peace and stability.