Karolis Aleksa, Vice-Minister of National Defence: ‘Russia’s threat is not somewhere on the horizon; it is already here, and the timing is pressurising us’

Press release, 31 May 2026(News ● Photos ● Broadcasts and videos)

The meeting of the Defence and Security Committee took place within the framework of the Spring Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), held at the Seimas. 

During the meeting, Karolis Aleksa, Vice-Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania, addressed Lithuania’s national defence spending and defence capabilities.

He identified Russia as the key threat to Lithuania: ‘Russia’s conventional and hybrid attacks may be presented against us, and the timeline — whether in three, four, or ten years –– remains unclear. As a NATO member, we must be prepared to confront this threat as shortly as we can, and we must be prepared actually right now.’

‘It is essential to focus on air defence and act immediately. Russia’s threat is not somewhere on the horizon; it is already here, and the timing is pressurising us,’ Mr Aleksa underlined.

He also emphasised the aspiration of Lithuania to establish a fully operational division by 2030 and to strengthen cooperation with NATO. ‘Our Government has prioritised the development of a fully operational infantry division up to 2030, and we are working with our German allies regarding the permanent deployment of their brigade by the end of next year,’ Mr Aleksa stressed.

At the meeting, Mr Aleksa also underscored the significance of military transformation –– another key theme encompassing drones, artificial intelligence, and a quantum approach. He emphasised the principle of forward defence — the commitment to defend the territory from the very first inch. 

Mr Aleksa devoted significant attention to air defence and counter-drone capabilities. In light of the rising frequency of airspace incursions in the region, he emphasised the urgent need for investment in systems, sensors, and ammunition, as well as their integration with NATO capabilities. 

‘Unless we counter and withstand this challenge and develop our air defence, we will face additional difficulties in delivering on our other priorities in the future. The public is asking why we spend so much if we cannot build up our defences and security. Therefore, I believe that this is a challenge not only for Lithuania but also for other nations on NATO’s eastern flank,’ Mr Aleksa said.

He also highlighted the challenges arising from insufficient defence industry capacity and ammunition shortages.

Mr Aleksa highlighted the importance of defence spending: Lithuania already allocates 5 % of GDP for core military capabilities and plans not only to maintain but also to increase this level. He called other NATO partners to increase defence spending and strengthen joint capabilities. Finally, he recalled the importance of support for Ukraine, noting that its victory on the battlefield is a critical prerequisite for regional security; therefore, Lithuania continues to provide active assistance and seeks to expand cooperation in the field of defence.

General Raimundas Vaikšnoras, Chief of Defence of the Republic of Lithuania, delivered a presentation outlining the strategic directions of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and the development of their capabilities. He drew attention to Lithuania’s unique geographical position due to its proximity to the Kaliningrad Region, stressing that the resulting risks require consistent strengthening of defence capabilities. The Suwałki Corridor and Gotland were identified as particularly important, as they would be essential for NATO reinforcement and logistics in the event of a crisis.

The Chief of Defence underlined the importance of establishing a national division and fostering close cooperation with the US, the Pennsylvania National Guard, and Germany.

His speech also addressed the critical role of air defence and protection against low-flying objects and unmanned aerial vehicles. General Vaikšnoras stressed that Lithuania must not only strengthen its existing systems but also pursue innovative kinetic and non-kinetic security measures. He also noted that defence planning must take into account the conditions shaped by evolving and emerging technologies.

‘We must keep pace with innovation, particularly given the developments in Ukraine, where technology is advancing rapidly. We now have clear plans for improving our capabilities; they are already being developed, and we are exploring various unmanned system solutions across the maritime, land, and air domains,’ General Vaikšnoras said.

Later at the meeting, Ms Rebecca Patterson, General Rapporteur of the Committee, and Ms Liselotte Odgaard, Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute, discussed strengthening of NATO’s capabilities in the northern flank as an imperative for credible collective defence. This was followed by interventions from Mr Rick Larsen, Rapporteur of the NATO PA Sub-Committee on Transatlantic Defence and Security Cooperation, and Ms Ryan Benitez, Chief Commercial Officer of NATO DIANA, who spoke about the role of parliaments in fast-tracking the development and adoption of NATO’s defence innovations. 

In the afternoon session, Mr Michael R. Turner, Special Rapporteur of the NATO PA Defence and Security Committee, and Mr James Black, Deputy Director of RAND Europe, presented the report titled Seabed and Space – Countering Complex Challenges to NATO’s Deterrence and Defence. Mr Michal Onderico, Professor of International Relations at the Department of Public Administration and Sociology of the Erasmus University Rotterdam, and Mr Spyridon Kyriakis, Rapporteur of the NATO PA Sub-Committee on Future Security and Defence Capabilities, discussed the development of NATO’s future forces, as well as recruitment, retention, and the will to fight.

Jonas Mensonas, Chief Specialist, Information and Communication Department, General and Bibliographic Information Unit,  tel. +370 5 209 6194, e-mail: [email protected]

Agnė Radžiūtė, Chief Specialist, Press Office, Information and Communication Department tel. +370 5 209 6210, e-mail: [email protected]