Lithuanian president defends border troop deployment as preventative measure

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has urged citizens not to panic over the recent deployment of military forces near the Russian border, describing the action as a proactive step to minimize security risks. Nausėda stated that "the best policy is to prepare in good time" rather than reacting after an incident occurs.

Beyond border security, Nausėda addressed several national challenges, acknowledging that Lithuania's air defense capabilities remain incomplete and that joint drone manufacturing efforts with Ukraine are experiencing delays. He also criticized a recent scandal within the Defense Ministry, warning that internal friction and misconduct have caused lasting damage to the institution. Additionally, the president called for infrastructure improvements following severe weather that exposed operational vulnerabilities across the country.

Sources: 15min, LSM.