Lithuanian defence committee chair criticises opposition to military training ground as populist

The chair of Lithuania’s parliamentary National Security and Defence Committee, Rimantas Sinkevičius, has expressed regret over opposition to the planned Kapčiamiesčio military training ground, suggesting some lawmakers are prioritising personal popularity over national defence needs.

Speaking to the ELTA news agency, Sinkevičius called the delay in approving the facility “unacceptable” given the current geopolitical situation. “I deeply regret that some may be misguided, some may be dreaming of the next elections, and some may be seeking individual popularity,” he said. “We must think about the whole—how Lithuania appears and how it prepares to defend itself.”

The Social Democrat lawmaker argued that prolonged debates over non-essential questions only slow down critical decisions. “Do we have time for delays and non-decisions in such a threatening situation?” he asked.

Sinkevičius emphasised the training ground’s importance for Lithuania’s military readiness, comparing it to an athlete’s need for proper facilities. “Would Rūta Meilutytė ever have become an Olympic champion if she trained in a mud pit? The same applies to our soldiers,” he said. “If we don’t prepare them, our deterrence capability will look like a joke.”

On Thursday, parliament approved the establishment of the Kapčiamiesčio training ground in a 105–12 vote, with four abstentions. Opposition came primarily from the conservative “Nemuno aušra” faction, with eight of its members voting against the project. Two additional “no” votes came from the rural Greens and Christian Democrats faction, while two recently unaffiliated MPs also opposed it.

The Defence Ministry’s proposal divides the 14,600-hectare site into two zones: one for manoeuvres and another for live-fire exercises. Parliament also approved an expansion of the Tauragė military range, doubling its territory into neighbouring Jurbarkas district.

The State Defence Council had decided last December to establish the brigade-level training ground in Lazdijai district, citing urgent defence needs.