Lietuvos Respublikos Prezidentas

05/26/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/26/2026 07:08

Gitanas NausÄ—da discussed strengthening regional security with the President of the European Commission and the leaders of the Baltic States

Gitanas Nausėda discussed strengthening regional security with the President of the European Commission and the leaders of the Baltic States
May 26, 2026
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President Gitanas Nausėda met with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, President of Estonia Alar Karis, and President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs, who had arrived in Vilnius.

The meeting focused on the security situation in the Baltic region, the protection of the European Union's eastern border, the strengthening of air defense and counter-drone capabilities, the protection of critical infrastructure, and the development of the European defense industry. Support for Ukraine and the need to further increase sanctions pressure on Russia were also discussed.

"We appreciate the European Commission's solidarity, support, and today's visit to Vilnius. However, words of solidarity alone are no longer enough - Europe must take swift and concrete action," the President said.

The President stressed that recent events cannot be viewed as isolated incidents - they are part of a broader security trend.

"Last week, drone incidents were recorded in the airspace of Lithuania and other Baltic States near the European Union's eastern border. These are not isolated provocations or accidental events. They are a direct consequence of Russia's aggression against Ukraine and yet another reminder of how close the war is to us," the President said.

Further assessing the situation, the President pointed to the increasingly broad spectrum of hybrid threats.

"The skies above the Baltic States are not sufficiently secure today. We are facing growing pressure - from drone incursions and electronic interference to information attacks and threats of sabotage against critical infrastructure. This is the new security reality in Europe," the President stated.

The leaders agreed on the need to accelerate the strengthening of security in the EU's eastern regions, with particular attention devoted to the European Union's Eastern Flank Watch initiative. The initiative includes enhancing airspace surveillance, counter-drone systems, air defense, military mobility, and situational awareness capabilities. It was also emphasized that the security response must be comprehensive, encompassing both the physical and information domains.

The Lithuanian President stressed the need to strengthen Europe's resilience against disinformation and information operations, maintain maximum sanctions pressure on Russia, and ensure long-term, sustainable support for Ukraine.

"The Baltic States are consistently strengthening their defense capabilities, but even greater EU engagement is necessary. We must not reduce but increase military, financial, and political support for Ukraine, while maintaining maximum pressure on Russia and its war machine through sanctions. Europe must demonstrate that it is capable of defending its borders, its citizens, and its freedom," the President emphasized.

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The President's Communication Group
Last updated 2026.05.26 15:51
Lietuvos Respublikos Prezidentas published this content on May 26, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 26, 2026 at 13:08 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]