Nausėda warns Lithuania is entering an era where peace is no longer taken for granted

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda warned on Tuesday that the country is entering a new and dangerous world where peace can no longer be assumed, as he delivered his annual state-of-the-nation address to the Seimas (parliament).

This marks the second annual address of his second term in office. The president began by reflecting on the recent air raid alert in Lithuania, which tested civil defence systems across institutions, from the Seimas to schools. Though the alert was later lifted, Nausėda said it reinforced a clear understanding that the world is rapidly changing.

“We are stepping into a new, dangerous world where peace is no longer a given,” he stated. He urged recognition that Lithuania itself is changing and must adapt accordingly.

Nausėda described a global landscape marked by declining unity, rising authoritarian regimes, and persistent economic interests, with Ukraine now in its fifth year of resisting Russian military aggression. Despite Ukraine’s progress—supported by Lithuania—the conflict offers no reassurance, he said.

“We do not know if we ourselves may one day face hostile forces testing NATO’s unity and resolve on our own soil,” the president warned.

He highlighted growing pressures on democratic institutions, new military and technological rivalries, increasing wealth concentration, and the erosion of humanitarian values as sources of rising tension. These global challenges will inevitably affect Lithuania, but he expressed confidence in the country’s strength, social sensitivity, and self-assurance.

“Fortunately, Lithuania today is wealthier, stronger, more socially responsive, and more self-confident than it was yesterday or the day before. And we have every opportunity to ensure that our future will be even brighter,” Nausėda said.

The president identified security as Lithuania’s most urgent and inescapable challenge. He noted that the country remains a constant target of hostile actions, from disinformation and illegal migration to smuggling drones and acts of terrorism and sabotage.

“We live in a time when direct military threats are becoming increasingly real and are already disrupting the peaceful lives of Lithuanian citizens. But even these are just the tip of the iceberg,” he said, adding that hybrid warfare against Lithuania has persisted for more than a decade, funded systematically and relentlessly.

“They hate us because we dare to be free and independent. They hate us because we love our freedom and boldly enjoy its benefits. They hate us because we create our own prosperity—something no autocratic regime can achieve,” Nausėda declared.

He also drew attention to the recent data breach at the Centre of Registers, criticising the delayed public disclosure. The president emphasised that the malicious activity was not only failed to be detected and stopped in time but also caused significant damage.