On Friday, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda met with Estonian President Alar Karis and Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs in Klaipėda, Lithuania, for their annual meeting. They discussed regional security, support for Ukraine, energy independence, and joint infrastructure projects.
Nausėda emphasised that the Baltic States’ main priority is ensuring security and strengthening defence. He called for a defence spending target of 3% of GDP at the next NATO Summit in The Hague to maintain credible deterrence.
He also stressed the importance of protecting critical infrastructure and coordinating responses to Russia’s hybrid attacks.
“We need to halt Russia’s sabotage campaign in Europe,” stated Lithuania’s President.
Additionally, he highlighted the need for closer transatlantic ties with the United States and reiterated Lithuania’s commitment to support Ukraine with 0.25% of its GDP annually.
The three Presidents also discussed energy independence and noted that synchronising the Baltic States with continental Europe’s electricity grids, planned for February next year, is crucial for achieving this goal.
