Federal President Steinmeier is visiting Lithuania. Among other things, it is about the strengthening of the NATO presence by Germany.
In view of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nauseda is pushing for a stronger NATO presence on the alliance’s eastern flank. “This is a front line that has to be very strong. We need air and missile defense and a larger presence of allied forces in the region,” said Nauseda after a meeting with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Vilnius.
The head of state of the Baltic state has great expectations of NATO partner Germany. “Germany’s long-term commitment to Lithuania’s security is essential for NATO’s entire eastern flank,” he said. “For its part, Lithuania is ready to do everything to make the German troops feel at home with us.”
The Bundeswehr has had Panzergrenadierbrigade 41 “Vorpommern” in Germany ready to defend Lithuania since autumn 2022. So far there has only been one command post in Lithuania, which is manned by around 20 soldiers and is supposed to keep weapons and material in the country. In addition, 760 other German soldiers belong to a NATO combat group in Lithuania led by the Bundeswehr.
In Lithuania, it is being urged that Germany be present with as many soldiers as possible and on a permanent basis. The country is investing in the necessary military infrastructure for this. “We’re not building infrastructure just so that the barracks will be empty,” Nauseda said in Vilnius. The NATO summit also takes place there in the summer.
Stationing of troops in Lithuania
Steinmeier emphasized that there was no dispute between the political leaders in Lithuania and Germany over the question of the deployment of the brigade. “Both sides know that there is still homework to be done, both on the Lithuanian side and on our side.” The next steps to increase the number of German soldiers would now be coordinated “carefully and in mutual trust”.
The Federal President assured Lithuania that Germany stood by its responsibility in NATO and in Europe and would continue to make its contribution to the defense of the alliance. “Together we will defend every square centimeter of the NATO alliance area. Our allies can rely on that, and Lithuania can also rely on it.”
Source: Stern
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