Lithuania’s national security is a key factor when deciding whether to hand over PzH 2000 howitzers and NASAMS air defence systems to Ukraine, President Gitanas Nauseda insists.
“We will certainly do our best and we will continue to help Ukraine to the best of our abilities. However, I reiterate that defence must be ensured evenly across NATO territory,” Nauseda said.
“That is why we will take a very responsible approach to our national security, because today no one can be sure that escalation or the likelihood of isolated incidents will bypass them,” he said, commenting on the November 15 lethal explosion of a missile in Poland.
The risk of incidents is greater given that Lithuania shares a border with Belarus, which is involved in Russia’s war against Ukraine, according to Nauseda.
The president described the missile explosion in Poland as a very serious incident marking a new phase in the war.
“As we can see, NATO territory is no longer a taboo, and casualties are possible even in NATO countries,” he said.
In Nauseda’s words, the security of NATO member states is indivisible and only as effective as its weakest link.
Ukraine has asked Lithuania to send it howitzers and air defence systems.
Chief of Defence Valdemaras Rupsys has said that he will recommend to the president-chaired State Defence Council that Vilnius should not hand over its PzH 2000 howitzers and NASAMS air defence systems to Kyiv, as this would weaken Lithuania’s own defence capabilities. (LRT/Business World Magazine)
