Mindaugas Sinkevičius, the Prime Minister of Lithuania, emphasized in an interview that the air security of Lithuania must be considered a main priority. This country, located on the border with Belarus and the Kaliningrad region of Russia, has made security one of the central priorities of its policy following Russia's military attack on Ukraine.
Popularity of Populist and Right-Wing Parties in Europe
Sinkevičius, who has recently been appointed as Prime Minister and leads the Social Democratic Party of Lithuania, is concerned about the rising popularity of populist and right-wing parties in Europe, especially in Western countries. He believes that the situation is more complex than it seems and pointed to the existence of social democratic governments in several European countries and signs of renewed support for the center-left.
The war in Ukraine has significantly impacted Lithuania's security. Sinkevičius referred to recent events including the entry of drones, organized migration, and weather balloons from Belarus, which have increased the sense of insecurity in Europe. He stated, "As politicians, we must tell the truth to society" and identified air security as an urgent priority for his country.
Solidarity with NATO and Social Challenges
Sinkevičius also emphasized the need for greater solidarity with his allies, stating that threats extend beyond Lithuania's national borders. He pointed out that membership in NATO does not mean that Lithuania can simply rely on its allies, saying, "Collective defense only works when individual members are ready to cooperate."
This means strengthening Lithuania's deterrent capabilities and continuing cooperation with NATO and regional partnerships. Sinkevičius also referred to the Nordic-Baltic NB8 group as an important framework for cooperation among Northern European and Baltic countries.
He also rejected the idea of choosing between traditional military equipment and modern technologies like drones, stating, "We need both." However, Sinkevičius emphasized that military equipment alone is not sufficient, and if society does not feel secure, no equipment can protect it.
Sinkevičius also referred to social challenges and social policies as part of national security, stating that the government must support those who are unemployed, ill, or vulnerable. This points to the larger challenges he faces as the leader of the Social Democratic Party. Russia's war against Ukraine has changed the political landscape and forced center-left governments in Europe to prioritize national security.
He stated that the challenge is to enhance defense capabilities without abandoning the principles of social democracy. Sinkevičius recently traveled to Lutsk and Kyiv and met with Ukrainian political leaders. Lithuania is committed to allocating at least 0.25% of its GDP to support Ukraine, and according to the Ukrainian side, Lithuania's support has reached about 0.3% of GDP in recent years.
The Prime Minister of Lithuania acknowledged that there is a kind of war fatigue in Europe, but stated that European societies must consider the scale of what Ukrainians have experienced. He said, "Sometimes I ask myself: if we Europeans feel fatigued, then how does Ukrainian society feel?" Sinkevičius also pointed to the key role of Western countries, especially Germany, in maintaining support for Ukraine, stating, "Support and assistance must continue."
