Lithuanian president urges calm following increased border security near Russia

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has urged citizens not to give in to fear after additional military forces were deployed along the border with Russia. Speaking in a wide-ranging interview, Nausėda emphasized that taking early precautionary measures is crucial to prevent potential risks, stating that "sometimes it is better to observe even excessive caution" than to react after an incident occurs.

Beyond border security, Nausėda acknowledged gaps in national air defense capabilities and noted delays in joint drone production projects with Ukraine. He also expressed concern regarding internal friction within the defense establishment, warning that recent controversies at the Ministry of National Defence could cause lasting reputational damage. Additionally, the president highlighted the necessity of improving emergency preparedness following severe storms that exposed critical infrastructure vulnerabilities.

Sources: 15min, LSM.