Lithuanian president defends border security steps and addresses defense gaps

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has urged the public to remain calm following the deployment of troops near the border with Russia, describing the move as a preventative measure to mitigate potential risks. Nausėda noted that taking timely security precautions is preferable to reacting after an incident occurs.

The president also acknowledged broader national security challenges, admitting that Lithuania's air defense systems remain imperfect and pointing to delays in joint drone manufacturing initiatives with Ukraine. Internally, he expressed concern over friction within the defense establishment and criticized a recent controversy at the Defense Ministry, warning that its fallout would be felt for a long time. Additionally, Nausėda called for structural improvements following recent severe weather that exposed vulnerabilities in national infrastructure.

Sources: 15min, LSM.