Sinkevičius says Russia seeks to weaken support for Ukraine

Russia is seeking not only to test NATO’s response but also to divert European attention from supporting Ukraine, Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said in an interview with LRT. He said Russian provocations are intended to make people afraid and sustain uncertainty and anxiety.

Sinkevičius and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk agreed during a visit to Warsaw to stay in direct contact if new security incidents occur, exchange information quickly and coordinate their political response, the Lithuanian prime minister told LRT on October 16.

The talks focused on growing hybrid threats and security on NATO’s eastern flank, including sabotage, attacks on infrastructure and airspace violations. The concerns were underscored by two incidents in Lithuania on Sunday: a drone that crossed the country’s airspace and crashed in Pasvalys district, and an attempted arson attack in Vilnius at premises containing Starlink communications equipment. The circumstances of both incidents are under investigation.

The leaders also discussed the possibility of joint military exercises at the planned Kapčiamiestis training ground to strengthen security in the Suwalki Corridor. In parallel, Lithuanian and Polish defence ministers discussed Lithuania’s planned purchase of Polish Piorun short-range air-defence systems. Lithuania’s Defence Ministry said the agreement was at its final stage.

Sinkevičius visited Warsaw on October 12 and 13, meeting Tusk, Polish President Karol Nawrocki and Sejm Marshal Włodzimierz Czarzasty, and taking part in the Warsaw Security Forum. The discussions covered border security, defence cooperation and support for Ukraine, as well as economic ties and issues affecting national minorities.

Nawrocki raised the future of the school in Paluknys. Sinkevičius said there was a political decision to transfer it to state ownership. He added that the coalition had not yet reached agreement on bilingual signs and the use of diacritical marks.

Sinkevičius said Russia’s actions were testing NATO’s response near the threshold for invoking Article 5. He said the provocations were also intended to intimidate European societies and weaken support for Ukraine.