Government of the Republic of Lithuania

02/27/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/27/2026 11:22

Prime Minister in Brussels: The Stronger the EU’s Eastern Border, the Stronger the Entire Union

27-02-2026

Prime Minister in Brussels: The Stronger the EU's Eastern Border, the Stronger the Entire Union

The security of the European Union's eastern border is the security of the entire EU, emphasised Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė, who today met in Brussels with the Prime Ministers of Latvia and Estonia alongside the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

The Head of Government also delivered a welcoming address at the opening of the Eastern Border Regions High Level Conference.

"The safety of the countries on the EU's eastern border determines the safety of the entire Union and the very idea it represents - a project of peace, security and stability across the continent. Our borders are the EU's external borders. That is why today we must act together, in solidarity, to do even more and faster to ensure their security, counter Russia's and Belarus's hybrid attacks, and become fully resilient," said Prime Minister I. Ruginienė.

In her speech, the Prime Minister emphasised that the High Level Conference addressing challenges on the EU's eastern border is both timely and important, highlighting that addressing these challenges is a shared responsibility of all Member States.

During the meeting with the President of the European Commission - attended by the Prime Ministers of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, Inga Ruginienė, Evika Silinia and Kristens Michals - the discussion focused primarily on strengthening security and defence, and reflecting these priorities in the EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

In the face of Russian threats and hybrid provocations, the security of the EU's eastern border must be a priority in the forthcoming MFF, the Prime Minister stressed.

As the fifth year of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine begins, EU support for Ukraine - including its aspiration to EU membership - must remain strong, and pressure on the aggressor must not diminish, the Lithuanian Prime Minister said.

The meeting of the Baltic States' heads of government and the President of the European Commission also addressed EU competitiveness, as well as the importance of constructive transatlantic relations and unity.

Government of the Republic of Lithuania published this content on February 27, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on February 27, 2026 at 17:22 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]