Lithuania Urges NATO, EU to Bolster Critical Infrastructure Defense

Lithuania is actively seeking enhanced protection measures for critical infrastructure from both NATO and the European Union, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (URM). The ministry stated its diplomatic efforts are focused on initiating additional steps within these organizations to bolster the security and resilience of vital infrastructure.

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Through diplomatic efforts, we also seek for NATO and the EU to initiate additional measures for the protection and strengthening of the resilience of critical infrastructure.

Diplomatic engagement with Russia remains at a bare minimum, the URM confirmed. Lithuania utilizes these limited channels to consistently protest Russia's war crimes in Ukraine and to refute Russian propaganda targeting Lithuania. This approach underscores the tense geopolitical climate and Lithuania's firm stance against Russian aggression.

Furthermore, Lithuania is collaborating with its allies and partners to fortify the region's defenses against hybrid threats. This includes closer coordination, information sharing, and improved situational monitoring. NATO has already initiated heightened alert activities along its eastern flank, such as "Baltic Guardian" in the Baltic Sea, aimed at safeguarding critical underwater infrastructure, and "Eastern Guardian" to enhance air surveillance and defense capabilities.

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Lithuanian and Russian diplomatic contacts are currently limited to the minimally necessary level. Lithuania constantly expresses protests to Russia through diplomatic channels regarding its war crimes in Ukraine, and also uses this opportunity to refute Russian propaganda messages directed against Lithuania.

The country is also leveraging EU instruments to finance defense and preparedness for military and hybrid threats. A key focus during European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's visit to Vilnius was the swift implementation of the EU's "Eastern Flank Watch" initiative. This initiative aims to strengthen air surveillance, anti-drone systems, air defense, military mobility, and situational awareness across the entire eastern flank, accelerating the development of European drone defense capabilities.

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NATO has initiated heightened alert activities on the eastern flank – "Baltic Guardian" is being carried out in the Baltic Sea, aimed at protecting critical underwater infrastructure, "Eastern Guardian" helps strengthen air space surveillance, protection, and allies' readiness to respond to various threats in the air, including unmanned aerial vehicles.