Minister: NATO could have responded more strongly
Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Lithuania's foreign minister stated NATO could have responded more forcefully to a Russian missile that fell in Poland.
- He noted that NATO's Article 5 applies only to direct attacks, while Article 4 allows for consultations.
- The minister emphasized the need for a stronger political response and a review of NATO's defense readiness.
Lithuania's Foreign Minister believes NATO's response to a Russian missile falling in Poland could have been stronger. The incident, which occurred near the Polish border, prompted discussions within the international defense alliance.
NATO's response could have been stronger.
The minister clarified that while NATO's Article 5, concerning collective defense, is triggered by a direct attack, Article 4 allows member states to consult on security matters. He suggested that a more robust political reaction was warranted following the missile incident.
We need to check if NATO's defense worked properly. We also need to assess if there is a lack of forces. If there is a lack, forces need to be increased.
Furthermore, he stressed the importance of assessing NATO's defense mechanisms and potentially increasing forces if current capabilities are insufficient. The minister advocated for decisive action in response to such events while also urging calm. He pointed to past instances where increased military presence in the region led to a reduction in incidents and damage to critical infrastructure, suggesting a similar approach might be beneficial.
In response to such events, we need to react decisively. However, at the same time, we must remain calm.
Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.