Lithuania focuses on strengthening single defence scenario, alternatives remain under discussion

Lithuania is prioritising the reinforcement of one primary national defence scenario, with alternative plans still at the discussion stage, presidential advisor Deividas Matulionis told Žinių radijas on Tuesday, responding to opposition calls for broader contingency planning.

Matulionis, senior advisor to President Gitanas Nausėda, stated that while formal discussions on backup plans—referred to as “Plan B” and “Plan C”—could take place, no concrete preparations have been made beyond the main strategy. “We are fully concentrated on strengthening one scenario, and that is our biggest task,” he said. “As for alternatives, we can discuss them in theory, but we are not ready today to formalise anything on paper about Plan B or C.”

The comments follow a proposal by opposition lawmakers—including Conservative Party leader Laurynas Kasčiūnas and Liberal Movement head Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen—urging the State Defence Council to mandate government readiness for multiple defence scenarios. Their push came after Prime Minister Ingrida Ruginienė, during a National Security and Defence Committee (NSGK) meeting, failed to provide details on the previously mentioned Plans A, B, and C.

Matulionis suggested any shift to alternative planning would require a “specific discussion” triggered by changing circumstances. “If something goes wrong, then we would move to developing those plans,” he added.