President outlines Lithuania’s security and foreign-policy priorities

President Gitanas Nausėda has urged Lithuania to strengthen its defence, invest more in its defence industry and maintain long-term support for Ukraine during a meeting with the heads of the country’s diplomatic missions.

The president highlighted Lithuania’s cooperation with NATO allies and its role in major defence projects. He also pointed to the Kapčiamiestis training ground law, which allows joint exercises with allies. The NATO meeting in Ankara, he said, demonstrated unity between Europe and the United States and showed the alliance’s new direction.

Nausėda singled out the decision to move from an air-policing mission to an air-defence mission for the Baltic states. He called on other NATO countries to invest more in security and defence, while stressing the importance of Lithuanian diplomats in strengthening ties with the United States, Germany, Poland, France and the United Kingdom.

The president also discussed Lithuania’s second presidency of the Council of the European Union, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen the country’s role in the bloc. He said Lithuania would need to reinforce the EU’s eastern border, respond to threats such as cyberattacks, and complete the Rail Baltica and Via Baltica projects.

Nausėda said Lithuania sought Ukraine’s and Moldova’s EU membership by 2030. He supported continued pressure on Russia and its allies, said Lithuania’s policy toward Belarus would not change, and called for maintaining and strengthening sanctions. He added that restoring diplomatic relations with China would require decisions by both countries. He urged diplomats to work together, protect critical infrastructure and seek new markets and technologies.

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Lithuania must strengthen its defence.