Lithuania’s leader supports Trump’s firm position on Russia during UN address

Lithuanian President Commends Trump’s UN Speech on Border Security

Lithuanian officials have referred to President Donald Trump’s address at the United Nations as “strong,” particularly regarding border protection.

President Gitanas Nausda remarked in an interview that “Independent nations must control the border.” Lithuania, sharing a lengthy border with both Belarus and Russia, has taken significant steps to enhance its security.

“We constructed a physical barrier and implemented modern surveillance tools. This has made our country safer,” Nausda stated, emphasizing their efforts to manage immigration challenges.

NATO’s Distrust in Putin’s Peace Intentions

Nausda expressed support for the Trump administration’s firm stance on Russia, noting, “It was a strong speech that addressed essential issues.” He highlighted Trump’s potential leverage over Vladimir Putin, which could encourage negotiations.

As one of the Baltic nations in Northeastern Europe, Lithuania has a population of around 2.85 million and has been part of NATO and the European Union since 2004. After being under Soviet occupation for decades, the country remains vigilant about its security.

The interview occurred shortly before Trump commented on Ukraine’s potential to reclaim its territory and dismissed Russia as a “paper tiger.” At present, Russian territory occupies about 20% of Ukraine.

Nausda contended that Putin is unlikely to pursue peace in Ukraine, attributing this to “old imperialist ambitions.” He also noted, shortly after addressing the UN General Assembly, the ineffective attempts by Western European leaders to negotiate with Putin, which ultimately did not deter aggression.

He praised Trump’s push for sanctions against Russia and the secondary sanctions on entities engaging with Russian oil and gas.

Military Preparedness and Economic Pragmatism

On the topic of national defense, Nausda articulated, “There’s no compromise between economic interests and geopolitical safety.” He warned that funding Russian military operations through energy purchases could endanger Lithuania.

In response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Lithuania halted its imports of Russian oil and gas two months into the invasion.

When asked about the possibility of a Russian attack on NATO territory, Nausda stated, “Preparation is key. We must build a reliable deterrent.” He expressed readiness to increase Lithuania’s defense budget significantly, aiming for 5-6% by 2026.

His comments resonate with earlier statements by Lithuanian Defense Minister Devil Shakarienė, who emphasized a strong stance against negotiations with Putin.

Currently, approximately 20% of Lithuania’s military acquisitions involve American equipment. Following incidents involving Russian aircraft violating NATO airspace, Nausda assured that Lithuania is ready to respond appropriately.

Regarding recent Pentagon budget cuts related to Baltic security, he remained optimistic, suggesting those changes are not final.

Lithuania, alongside its Baltic neighbors, has initiated discussions to enhance its border security against threats from Russia and Belarus. Nausda expressed hope that the American troops stationed in Lithuania will continue their presence.