08.07.2026 12:21
Speaking at the NATO Summit, Lithuanian President Nauseda said they would send a mine-clearing force if necessary for free passage in the Strait of Hormuz, that it was not the right time for negotiations with Russia, and that defense spending needed to be increased.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said, "We have decided that we are ready to send our mine clearance task force if needed to ensure free passage in the Strait of Hormuz."
On the second day of the NATO 36th Summit of Heads of State and Government, leaders are gathering in Ankara. During the summit, topics such as defense spending, the war in Iran, European security, and the future of the alliance are being discussed, with leaders making assessments to the press before the summit regarding the agenda.
"WE ARE IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE USA"
In his statement, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda also said that over time, issues related to the development of nuclear weapons in Iran and potential nuclear weapons need to be resolved, stating, "Therefore, my country is in solidarity with the United States. We have decided that we are ready to send our mine clearance task force if needed to ensure free passage in the Strait of Hormuz. It is very clear that this is also our conflict, our war. If we expect solidarity from the United States, we must also remain united. I understand this view, and of course I know that it is not easy for some large countries to allocate 5% of their GDP to defense. I know there are some transition periods and that some countries will reach this target by 2035. However, I believe that maintaining confidence in this goal is important. We must do more to achieve 5% defense financing by 2035. Our country also has various needs. But we are ready to use public finances for defense spending because that is the reality; the geopolitical situation we live in requires it."
"WE MUST BUILD A DETERRENCE WALL"
In response to a question about whether there is a risk of Russia testing Article 5, which stipulates that an attack on a NATO member state is considered an attack on all member states, Nauseda said:
"This depends on how unshakable Article 5 is. If we leave no doubt about the validity of Article 5, Russia will not test it. However, it is not enough to repeat 100 or 200 times how strong Article 5 is. We must spend more, strengthen our air defense, and build a deterrence wall. We should discuss this not only within NATO but also in negotiations on the next multiannual financial framework of the European Union. For us, it is extremely important to emphasize the importance of the countries on the eastern flank. Because they protect the external borders of the European Union and at times bear a disproportionate financial burden. Of course, we must take the necessary measures and finance these expenditures. But we are not the most developed countries in the European Union. We are still in the process of approaching the European Union average. It is not easy for us to bear such a large financial burden to protect the external borders."
ON NEGOTIATIONS WITH RUSSIA
In response to a journalist's question, "European allies have recently been considering starting negotiations with Russia, even sending a representative. Do you expect this issue to be discussed today?" Nauseda said, "I do not think that we are at the right time to start negotiations with Russia. Because Russia clearly shows us that it does not want our participation. They indicate that they are ready to continue the war. Perhaps Putin's perception of reality is distorted. Because he thinks he can occupy the entire Donbas this year. This is the current situation, and I cannot see how it is possible to sit at the negotiation table when one of the parties is not ready to start negotiations."
Gitanas Nauseda stated that even if the issue comes to the agenda, their stance is clear and today is not the right time.