The article discusses remarks made by I. Ruginienė about the need for strengthened European defense and the importance of NATO, highlighting military commitments from Germany and the U.S. in Lithuania.
I. Ruginienė, in interviews with German outlet 'Die Welt' and Brussels publication 'Politico', emphasized the necessity for Europe to enhance its defense capabilities while maintaining strong ties with the United States. She pointed out the hybrid threats posed by Russia and Belarus and stressed the need for European armed forces in conjunction with U.S. troops. According to her, the focus should be on reinforcing the European Union's military capabilities rather than individual national forces.
Ruginienė revealed that Germany plans to deploy a brigade of 5,000 soldiers in Lithuania by the end of next year, alongside approximately 1,000 U.S. troops currently stationed there. She expressed hope that the U.S. forces would remain in Lithuania, underlining the critical nature of security in the region. Her comments reflect a broader perspective on European security dynamics and the vital role of NATO in ensuring stability in Eastern Europe.
Overall, Ruginienė's remarks articulate a strong belief in the strength of NATO, advocating for collective European defense efforts. She believes that demonstrating military strength is in the interests of both Europe and the United States, signaling a commitment to collaborative security measures in the face of regional threats.
