Breedlove urges Lithuania to prepare its whole society for defence

Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe Philip M. Breedlove said Lithuania should prepare its military, businesses and households to respond to a possible Russian attack. He told LRT that the country had made significant progress in strengthening its defence.

Breedlove made the remarks at a presentation of a comprehensive defence model by the association Visuotinė gynyba, or Total Defence, in late October. He said modern wars are fought by entire nations, not only armed forces, and that Lithuania’s deterrence depends on society as a whole being ready to resist.

He praised Lithuania and other countries on NATO’s eastern flank for recognising the threat and preparing for it. He pointed to Lithuania’s decision to devote substantially more funding to defence and its move towards comprehensive defence.

Asked whether money was enough, Breedlove said it was important but that the will to fight mattered more. Russian President Vladimir Putin, he said, should understand that an invasion would be met by people who had prepared to defend their country.

Breedlove said Lithuania’s military would need support from the public and businesses if it had to repel a Russian attack. He urged the country to consider whether industry could provide the necessary resources and whether households were prepared to cope for a period of time.

Asked whether Lithuania should prioritise a national division or multilayered air defence, Breedlove said he did not have an answer. He noted that NATO advises member states on defence priorities, and said a focus on air defence could leave the country short of ground forces.

Tags: Lithuania, NATO, defence