A visit of an important NATO official will take place in Lithuania, and more troops will arrive
However, the commander of the Lithuanian Armed Forces calls such a threat simply stupid. And Germany will send up to 350 more soldiers to Lithuania in the coming days.
Russia is transporting more and more troops and equipment to Belarus, allegedly for exercise. NATO estimates that there are currently about 30,000 troops in neighboring Belarus. This is worrying not only for Ukraine, but also for NATO countries, including Lithuania. Rob Bauer, the head of the NATO Military Committee, came to Vilnius to discuss tensions in our region.
After meeting with the leadership of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, the Minister of National Defense, and members of the Seimas National Security and Defense Committee, the NATO official states that he sees no signs that the mobilization of the Russian army in Belarus would pose a threat to Lithuania.
“If you look at the position of the Russian forces in Belarus, then yes, it is necessary to assess from a military point of view whether the Baltic states, especially Lithuania, are currently under threat. But, of course, it is necessary to assess whether there is an intention or whether there are signs that the Russians or Belarusians intend to harm the Baltic states and especially Lithuania. So far, we see no intention, and we do not expect Russia to launch an attack on NATO, both directly and through Belarus, “said Rob Bauer, chairman of NATO’s Military Committee.
And Belarusian dictator Aliaksandr Lukashenko, speaking to Russia’s propaganda message, said the joint military exercise between Russia and Belarus this week could be directed not only against Ukraine but also against NATO.
Is this training against Ukraine?
“If necessary, it will be against both Ukraine and NATO. If necessary. I answered that question. Two cases. The first case is if someone tries more than a drone from the territory of Ukraine, “says Lukashenko.
Observing the activity of the Russian army near the borders of Ukraine, NATO, according to Rob Bauer, still has the opportunity to resolve the Russian-Western tensions over Ukraine through diplomatic channels. And the commander of the Lithuanian army says that threatening NATO countries would be just stupid.
“The mere fact that NATO forces are deployed in our Lithuania would be irresponsible to directly threaten us for this minute, I would even say stupid. And would fundamentally change the situation not in the region but in the world as a whole. I do not think that there would be any direct military threats now, ”says Valdemaras Rupšys, Commander of the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
However, the Commander of the Armed Forces says that due to the exercises in Belarus, Lithuania has increased the requirements for the readiness of the Armed Forces. By the way, in the Kremlin’s propaganda show, the Belarusian dictator did not doubt the victory of the Union state against Ukraine, and at the same time hindered Lithuania.
“Lithuania is in a difficult situation. – Difficult. – You need to think about what to do, look for roads, and talk to Russia to keep prices comfortable. – We have been talking to Russia for a long time. – Will Lithuania lose everything? – Lithuania can jump. Dot. – Of course, the point is, I just hear how the fall of people in Lithuania starts from survival. – they thought it unnecessarily. No America, no Europe will help them. – But they left against China first. – Not them, you know what pushed them to do so. Did they need it? There was no need for it, “Lukashenko said.
The leader of the regime admits that the country seems to have problems with the export of potassium fertilizers when Lithuania introduced a ban on transporting products through its territory. Ukraine does not accept them either, so Lukashenko is looking for several 12 million tons to be transported through Russia.
“It simply came to our notice then. That is 11 to 12 million tonnes. It’s a huge mass that needs to be moved. Here’s the problem. The Ukrainians offered them, we agreed, but today stated that they will not load through Odessa, also stopped. – Did you expect the Ukrainians to help you? “It was not the government that offered us, but the owners of the terminals,” Lukashenko said.
Lukashenko dreams of conquering the English Channel and rebuilding the Soviet Union, and believes that despite the current opposition, Ukraine will become part of the Union together with Russia and Belarus in 15 years.
“Belarus was already there, it was a good lesson for Kazachtan, in 15 years Ukraine will be there if we do not make mistakes. Remaining under the perimeter, where will it be? Union of Slavic Nations and Kazakhstan. “And there is nowhere for Armenia,” Lukashenko said.
Laurynas Kasčiūnas, the head of the Seimas National Security and Defense Committee, hopes for a greater presence of US troops in Lithuania – not on a rotational basis, but on a permanent basis.
“It simply came to our notice then. We remember the Cold War years in West Berlin, which was defended by NATO in every way. There was a brigade in Berlin, a stand that deterred military action. We suggest a similar logic, ”assures the Chairman of the Seimas Committee Laurynas Kasčiūnas.
As tensions escalated by Russian forces on NATO’s eastern border, Vilnius agreed with Berlin to deploy more German troops in Lithuania. Germany is leading an international NATO battalion deployed in Lithuania and will send up to 350 troops to the 500 already here.