European countries are ramping up their defenses in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with Lithuania's prime minister highlighting the unprecedented measures being taken. Ingrida Šimonyte emphasized that European nations are undertaking actions that were previously unimaginable, underscoring the urgency of bolstering defense capabilities.
The conflict in Ukraine has prompted a significant increase in defense spending across Europe, as countries rally to support Ukraine and fortify their own military arsenals amid concerns of potential Russian aggression elsewhere on the continent. This surge in defense expenditure and cooperation has been particularly pronounced in Lithuania and its Baltic neighbors Latvia and Estonia, all of which share borders with Russia and are members of the EU and NATO.
Šimonyte pointed to the deployment of a permanent brigade of troops from NATO ally Germany to Lithuania as a notable example of the enhanced defense measures being implemented. This move, which involves stationing a full brigade on a permanent basis in the eastern flank, signifies a significant shift in military strategy for the Baltic countries, often referred to as NATO's eastern flank.
Furthermore, the prime minister highlighted the collective efforts of European countries in rapidly strengthening their military capacities and increasing defense spending. In 2021, defense spending by the 26 European Defence Agency member states surged by 6% year on year following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with the trend continuing upwards.
While acknowledging the progress made in defense spending, Šimonyte stressed that Europe should have prioritized this investment long before the current crisis. Many European nations still fall short of meeting the NATO target of allocating 2% of GDP to defense, indicating the need for sustained commitment to bolstering military capabilities.
Lithuania, in particular, has significantly increased its defense spending, allocating 2.75% of its GDP for this purpose in the current year. As a staunch supporter of Ukraine, Šimonyte emphasized the importance of providing additional support to the country, asserting that external assistance is crucial for Ukraine's success in the conflict.
Despite the efforts to bolster defense capabilities, challenges remain, with limitations on the availability of weaponry for Ukraine due to constraints in manufacturing capacity within Europe. Šimonyte underscored the necessity of providing tangible military equipment to Ukraine, emphasizing the critical need for artillery, vehicles, guns, and armor.
Looking ahead, the prime minister emphasized the broader implications of the conflict, warning that failure to halt Russian aggression in Ukraine would have far-reaching consequences for Europe. She called for increased defense spending by European countries as a means to signal commitment to strengthening military capabilities and supporting domestic industrial players.
Ultimately, Šimonyte emphasized the collective responsibility of European nations in addressing security challenges, cautioning against reliance on external intervention and stressing the need for proactive measures to safeguard the continent's stability and security.
