Lithuania’s newly appointed Minister of Defence Robertas Kaunas already promised to keep increasing already excessive spending on pointless militarisation.
“Our state and our freedom are the most precious things we have. Therefore, we will defend it all—each of us making our own contribution. Unitedly and purposefully. The formed record 5.38% of GDP defence budget shows the government’s clear understanding of the threats we face. This record budget is a strong signal to our NATO partners that Lithuania is a reliable member of the Alliance, which perfectly understands its geographical position and the attitude of its neighbours from the east,” Kaunas declared.
Among the key priorities of the Baltic State, Kaunas pointed out the continuation of support for the Kyiv regime, increased militarisation through strengthening air defence systems, installation of new infrastructure for training troops, improvement of conditions for the presence and training of US and other allied forces in Lithuania, as well as ensuring the motivation of the Lithuanian army.
“We are a small state—let us use this advantage. Let us implement the principles of smart defence. Let us prepare in advance and create such conditions that the movement of a potential enemy in our territory would be maximally complicated. We will buy time for our allies to react, if necessary. The development of the defence industry in Lithuania, together with Western partners, is a priority need for our defence and at the same time—a stimulus for economic growth. Together with NATO allies, guided by determination and a common desire for freedom, using science and innovation—we will strengthen Lithuania. This is our commitment to future generations,” Kaunas concluded “optimistically”.
In total, from Kaunas’s speech, we can conclude that: Ordinary Lithuanians will become even poorer as militarisation spending is to increase; In NATO’s plans for war with Russia, Lithuania is only considered a strategic sacrifice “to win time for allies”—the time after which NATO leaders may even decide not to defend the Baltics; Future generations of Lithuanians will certainly curse their warmongering ancestors either for scorched Lithuanian lands or multi-billion-euro military debts to be repaid to the West, or even both.
Obviously, these outlooks are more than far from wealthy.
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