Germany and its partners ‘They are determined to defend NATO territory against any aggression’, Chancellor Friedrich Mertz from Vilnius, where, in a symbolic move, visits the German forces in the eastern wing of the Alliance on Thursday.

‘Her aggressive revisionism Russia It threatens not only the security of Ukraine but also the security of Europe and the Euro -Atlantic space ‘, Mr Mertz said and pointed out that the situation in the Baltic remains “very tense”. “You can rely on us. The security of our allies is also our own security, ”assured Lithuanian President Gitanas Naoussea. The two leaders and ministers of defense of the two countries will later visit the German forces stationed in the country. “There has never been a greater and more permanent development of the Bundeswehr in Eastern Europe. And I want to say this to the world: Dear Lithuanians, you can rely on Germany, “the Chancellor said.

In Lithuania they gradually settled by about 2023 4,800 Bundeswehr soldiers, and 200 civil servants, and they will remain there at least By 2027, with the aim of strengthening NATO’s eastern wing and preventing possible Russian aggression.

For the first time Germany maintains such a large base abroad, but the German Ministry of Defense estimates that Lithuania’s geographical location makes it “The most vulnerable state on the east side of NATO”. Due to the Russian threat, the Lithuanian government announced last January that it will increase its defense spending to 5-6% of its GDP by 2030.