Budrys at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum: Russia remains a direct and long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security, and its actions are testing the Alliance’s resilience

On 18 April, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys participated in a discussion at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum titled "Securing Europe: Unity and Strategic Renewal towards NATO Ankara Summit."

During the discussion, which also featured remarks by the heads of diplomacy of Latvia and Turkiye and the Deputy Secretary General of NATO, the Minister emphasized that Russia's aggression against Ukraine, now in its fifth year, is fundamentally altering the European security architecture and NATO's priorities.

According to Lithuania's head of diplomacy, Russia remains a direct and long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security, and its actions-ranging from military provocations to cyberattacks and disinformation-test the Alliance's resilience every day. Therefore, NATO's determination to implement the commitments adopted in The Hague, comprehensive support for Ukraine, and increased pressure on Russia are the most effective means of deterring the aggressor and preventing the destabilization of the international order.

"Russia's imperialist ambitions extend beyond Ukraine's borders, so no European country can feel completely safe. At a time when Russia is hoping for a military victory, support for Ukraine is becoming not only a moral but also a strategic necessity. In Lithuania's view, a Ukrainian defeat would mean a Russia that is even more daring and a serious challenge to the entire international community," said Budrys.

When discussing the response of Europe and NATO, the Minister stressed that Lithuania supports the goal of strengthening Europe's contribution to collective security, but this must be done in close coordination with NATO. It is essential to avoid creating parallel structures that would duplicate the Alliance's functions and weaken the transatlantic bond. According to Budrys, European defense efforts must be directed toward increasing defense industry capabilities, improving military mobility, and bolstering national defense budgets.

According to Lithuania's Foreign Minister, we must also emphasize the need to strengthen transatlantic defense industry cooperation in order to accelerate the development of capabilities and ensure a more efficient supply of defense equipment. The European defense industry must be prepared to meet growing demand, and regulatory processes must be streamlined while remaining open to partners across the Atlantic.

Ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, Budrys highlighted the efforts of Turkiye to strengthen its defense capabilities and actively contribute to NATO's deterrence in the Baltic region. Lithuania's priorities for the summit include maintaining transatlantic unity, progress toward spending 5% of GDP on defense, strengthening air defense, developing the defense industry, and continuing support for Ukraine.

Lithuania is already consistently increasing defense spending and plans to establish a fully equipped national division by 2030.

The Minister also spoke about military aid to Ukraine. According to him, if all NATO members allocated at least 0.25% of their GDP to military aid for Ukraine, this would significantly strengthen the country's ability to defend itself and contribute to the security of the entire region.

In assessing the broader security context, Budrys stressed that NATO must remain prepared to respond to threats from all directions. According to him, Iran's nuclear and missile programs, as well as the impact of its support for Russia, affect not only the security of the Middle East but also that of Europe. Therefore, NATO allies must cooperate closely with the United States and regional partners to help stabilize the situation.

According to Budrys, the present geopolitical context demands strong unity among allies, swifter decision-making, and consistent fulfillment of commitments. Only in this way can we ensure that the security of Europe and the entire Euro-Atlantic region is reliably safeguarded for the coming decade.