A Russian attack on NATO countries was “practically impossible” in the near future, Lithuania’s defence chief, Valdemaras Rupsys, stated, BNS reports. Speaking in an interview with Ziniu Radijas, Rupsys warned that diverging political statements and military assessments on the Russian threat created “some confusion,” which could scare the public. His assessment was that the possibility…
The Lithuanian government has banned military staff, border guards, and police officers from travelling off-duty to Russia, Belarus, and China, BNS reports. The Defence Ministry noted that Russia, Belarus, and China posed threats to Lithuania’s national security, including through espionage. Intelligence authorities in the three countries collect information on Lithuanian citizens with access to classified…
The decision of the three Baltic States to build a “Baltic defence line” is preparation for a possible Russian attack, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis stated, BNS reports. He said that the move served as a political message, seeking to draw the attention of allies to the threat posed by Russia. “If Russia is not…
Lithuania’s State Defence Council (VGT) has agreed to buy German-made Leopard 2 tanks for a planned new army division, Kestutis Budrys, chief national security adviser to President Gitanas Nauseda, announced, BNS reports. The council tasked the Defence Ministry to begin negotiations with German manufacturers and other countries interested in procuring the equipment. Also, the council…
US investment company Blackstone plans to sell Baltic-based Luminor Bank, according to Bloomberg, LETA reports. Blackstone expects to sell the bank for around EUR 1.9bn and to conclude the deal in 2024. Peter Priisalm, head of Avaron Investments, suggested that one potential buyer could be Polish insurance group PZU, while Valeria Kiisk, partner at Redgate…
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda has called a meeting of the State Defence Council (VGT) for 23 January 2024, BNS reports. The meeting will discuss a strategic threat assessment from the Lithuanian intelligence services, the structure of the national defence system, and the economic and financial measures for building an army division. Lithuania plans to establish…
Estonia’s debt to GDP ratio rose in the third quarter of 2023 but was still the lowest in the EU, according to Eurostat data, ERR reports. Estonia’s general government gross debt totalled EUR 6.789bn, which was up from EUR 5.585bn in the third quarter of 2022. The country’s debt to GDP ratio stood at 18.2%,…
Lithuania expects negotiations on Moldova’s EU membership to begin in March 2024, President Gitanas Nauseda said, BNS reports. Speaking after a meeting with Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Nauseda called on Moldova to “mobilise on reforms.” He added that Lithuania was ready to help Moldova…
Germany’s Bundeswehr expects that the German brigade to be deployed in Lithuania will be made up of volunteers, Major General Ruprecht von Butler, commander of the German 10th Panzer Division, said, BNS reports. He assured that there would be enough troops willing to volunteer. Germany will deploy around 5,000 troops to Lithuania over 2025-2026, and…
