Brussels: NATO allies gathered on Thursday to discuss the evolving security landscape in Europe and gain clarity on the Trump administration's position regarding Ukraine.
Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė spoke to media about the challenges NATO currently faces.
Earlier this week, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth informed NATO defence ministers that Ukraine's ambitions to reclaim its pre-2014 borders and its hopes of joining the alliance were "unrealistic." Additionally, he ruled out any possibility of US troops participating in a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, a topic that has been under discussion in Europe in recent months.
Šakalienė stressed that NATO is entering a complex phase, requiring decisive action to strengthen its own capabilities. "We are at the start of a challenging process where we must find concrete ways to build our strength," she stated. She highlighted the need for European nations to enhance their own defence readiness, questioning how sustained support for Ukraine could continue if NATO's own military capabilities lag behind Russia's.
The Lithuanian minister pointed out that the speed of Russia's military production, its shift to a wartime economy, and its rapid troop deployments present a serious threat. She noted that Ukraine's military size and Europe's defence industry are struggling to keep pace with Russia’s growing military strength.
Meanwhile, EU leaders are grappling with a significant defence spending gap of €500 billion over the next decade. The challenge remains balancing continued military aid to Ukraine while also ensuring that Europe can defend itself independently if necessary.
