Lithuania’s acting foreign minister urges Europe to strengthen deterrence and invest in defence

Lithuania’s acting Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys has called on Europe to strengthen deterrence, increase investment in defence, and maintain unity, speaking at the Dubrovnik Forum in Croatia on Saturday, LRT reports.

Budrys highlighted that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East, and the growing activity of China and North Korea demonstrate an increasingly complex web of security challenges across different regions, according to a ministry statement.

“We must not only adapt to the new reality but also act proactively – strengthen deterrence, invest in defence, and maintain unity. The old rule remains valid: if you want peace, prepare for war,” the statement quoted Budrys as saying.

The minister emphasised that the transatlantic link remains the cornerstone of Europe’s security, as NATO’s reliability and collective defence directly depend on strong US leadership and presence in Europe.

Budrys identified Russia as the primary long-term threat, citing hybrid and military actions by the Kremlin, including drone and fighter jet provocations, cyberattacks, disinformation, and sabotage.

“If we want to deter Russia, we must outpace it in production. Current figures show a clear lag – which means we must act quickly and decisively. Strengthening Europe’s defence industry is becoming a critical task,” he said.

He also stressed the need to ensure Ukraine’s victory and its Euro-Atlantic integration, accelerate the strengthening of Europe’s defence, and invest in NATO and transatlantic relations. Budrys urged efforts to make Ukraine an EU member by 2030 while maintaining its NATO membership perspective.

Additionally, he called on Europeans to increase defence funding, address critical capability gaps, and expand defence industry production.

The minister spoke during a discussion titled “In the New Security Reality: Modern Warfare, Defence Industry, and Europe’s Strategic Choices.” The Dubrovnik Forum annually gathers high-level policymakers, academics, business leaders, and civil society representatives from around the world. Bilateral meetings were also scheduled on the sidelines of the event.