Budrys at the Warsaw Security Forum: Only by strengthening Europe's strategic and defence capabilities can we ensure lasting peace

On 29 September, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys participated in the Warsaw Security Forum, where he took the floor in a discussion entitled "Division of Labor, Unity of Purpose: the U.S., Europe, and the map of Strategic Enablers."

The Minister underlined that the world was now experiencing a period of geopolitical tectonic shifts and that Europe had been facing its worst war since World War II - Russia's aggression against Ukraine - for four years. "It is clear that Russia is determined to continue this war in order to redraw borders by force and justify the seizure of foreign territories," the minister said.

Budrys also highlighted China's actions in the Indo-Pacific region and globally. Budrys said China was seeking to expand its influence while indirectly supporting Russia's war machine. The revisionist states are trying to reshape the international order according to their own vision. Thus, according to the minister, the democratic world must unite to preserve the rules-based international order.

The minister also underlined the importance of transatlantic unity, strong deterrence, and increasing resilience to hybrid threats. "The strategic unity between the U.S. and Europe means a strong NATO, and a strong NATO means effective deterrence. Barbarians are at the gates of Europe, so we need to be stronger and more united than ever," Budrys said.

According to Budrys, strengthening the transatlantic bond and the involvement and retention of the U.S. forces in Europe remain vital, but in the future, we must rapidly enhance Europe's strategic capabilities - to build European defence capabilities exponentially, ensure military mobility in Europe, encourage investment in military innovation, and improve the EU-NATO coordination, ensuring that efforts are complementary.

The Minister emphasized that long-term and consistent support for Ukraine in its fierce fight against Russian aggression should also be a top strategic priority for the entire transatlantic community, and Ukraine's victory is essential for the security of all of us. "Ukraine is not and will not be a buffer zone for European security; it is a cornerstone of European security, an indispensable protector, and the most advanced teacher of military tactics and practices in the fight against aggression, especially in the fight against drone threats", said Budrys.