The Chancellor visits German soldiers in Lithuania and assures NATO partners in the region of support. The stationing of a combat-ready brigade is the most important sign of this.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has assured NATO partners in the Baltic Sea region that Germany will receive reliable military support in their defense. “Germany stands unwaveringly on the side of the Baltic states,” said the SPD politician in Pabrade in Lithuania, where he visited German soldiers.
Germany’s commitment to the Bundeswehr is serious, said Scholz, who referred to NATO’s obligation to provide assistance. He said: “And that means that we protect each other and that all states can rely on us to defend every inch of their territory.”
In response to the changed security situation following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Russia’s aggressive behavior on NATO’s eastern flank, Germany has begun to station a brigade with around 4,800 soldiers in Lithuania. An incident team has arrived. Soldiers from the Bundeswehr’s 10th Armored Division are currently taking part in a major NATO exercise in Lithuania.
Fast deployment speed
Scholz met Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda at the Pabrade military training area. He then wanted to travel on to the Latvian capital Riga, where he wanted to meet the prime ministers of the three Baltic states. The conversation with the Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, the Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and the Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė will, among other things, focus on questions of security and defense policy.
The permanent stationing of the brigade in Lithuania is progressing at great speed, said Scholz. This is the most important sign that “this is important to us and that we will now succeed”. Germany itself is investing massively in expanding its defense capabilities. Scholz said: “This is also linked to the decision that investments in the Bundeswehr will cover two percent of our economic output in the long term, year after year. This has been achieved this year and will not change again.”
He emphasized the importance of continued military assistance to Ukraine, especially for air defense against Russian attacks. The fact that Germany is giving Ukraine a third Patriot air defense system should serve as an example for others. This is “also the desire to signal to others that they are also taking part, because we will not be able to wait until new systems are produced.” Scholz demanded: “We must ensure that more air defense options are made available for Ukraine from the existing stocks.”
Source: Stern
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