Lithuanian president urges calm amid border security reinforcement

Nexus Europa Newsroom
Posted Oct 18, 2026, 08:30 PM UTC · In the digest of 2026-10-18-2030
Lithuanian president urges calm amid border security reinforcement
Photo: 15min

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda urged calm as border security with Russia expands, while addressing air defense shortages and internal defense ministry friction.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has urged the public to remain calm following increased military deployments and fortification efforts along the country's border with Russia. Nausėda stressed that taking early precautionary measures is essential to prevent potential security risks, stating, "It is better to take additional security measures in good time to prevent risks than to react belatedly."

Beyond border defense, Nausėda identified significant national security challenges, including deficiencies in Lithuania's air defense systems and delays in joint drone production ventures with Ukraine. He also commented on internal friction between defense ministry officials and military leadership, cautioning that recent ministry controversies risk damaging public confidence. Furthermore, the president noted lessons drawn from severe regional weather events.

Sources: 15min, LSM

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