NATO would deploy more forces to Lithuania in a critical situation, says presidential office
NATO would deploy additional forces to Lithuania in the event of a critical situation, according to the Lithuanian presidential office, as reported by LRT.
Deividas Matulionis, the president’s senior advisor on national security, stated that NATO allies would station more troops and air defence capabilities in Lithuania if Russia’s provocations in the region escalate. He noted that the alliance takes warnings of increased provocation risks in Europe seriously.
“We have issued warnings, and NATO is treating them very seriously. If all indicators truly show a critical situation, I have no doubt that additional forces and air defence capabilities would be allocated,” Matulionis told Žinių Radijas on Tuesday.
Recent public statements by leaders of NATO’s eastern flank countries have cited intelligence suggesting Russia is preparing kinetic provocations in their territories. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda previously told BNS that critical transport and energy infrastructure in Lithuania could be targeted, with protections for such sites recently strengthened.
Matulionis said provocations could take various forms, including false-flag operations blaming Ukraine or sabotage acts already observed in Europe. He stressed that no country is immune, as the threat extends beyond the Baltic region to nations actively supporting Ukraine.
He dismissed the possibility of a Russian military invasion of a NATO member state, stating there is no intelligence indicating troop buildups near Lithuania’s borders. “The probability is practically zero,” he said.
Matulionis emphasised that Russian attacks can be averted and that authorities are working to prevent such incidents on Lithuanian soil. Moscow’s alleged plans for provocations are linked to its struggles on the battlefield in Ukraine and its desire for a swift victory. The Kremlin has denied accusations of planning attacks, calling them a pretext for militarisation against Russia.