Vilnius, Lithuania (AP)– Military demonstrations have transformed downtown Vilnius ahead of the upcoming NATO summit. Locals and tourists alike will see American-made Abrams tanks, German Leopards and other armored vehicles, demonstrating NATO’s determination to show off its power and protect the region. The event will also serve as an opportunity for local residents to express their solidarity with Ukraine and hope for a positive outcome from the summit.
Some locals, such as IT engineer Jonas Braukila, believe the summit will bring historic progress, while others, such as former Lithuanian president Daria Grybauskaite, have expressed skepticism. Some residents do. The Baltic states, including Lithuania, have long felt that the West underestimated the Russian threat, especially after its annexation of Crimea in 2014. Grybauskaite, known as the “Baltic Iron Lady,” believes many Western leaders still do not understand the Kremlin’s true intentions and lack the political will to respond effectively.
Grybauskaite argues that the value gap between Russia and the West makes negotiations based on common ground unrealistic. She stressed that the war in Ukraine is a civilization-wide struggle and that unless Ukraine finally emerges victorious, the West must expect continued aggression from Russia.
After decades of Soviet occupation, dissatisfaction with Moscow runs deep in the Baltics. Lithuania, sandwiched between Russia’s ally Belarus and the Kaliningrad enclave, has invested heavily in military investments, exceeding NATO’s defense spending targets. NATO patrols its airspace, and Germany plans to keep 4,000 troops permanently in Lithuania. But concerns remain about whether these measures will be sufficient if the war spreads beyond Ukraine’s borders.
Baltic leaders, including Lithuania’s first post-independence leader Vytautas Landsbergis, have ruled out a possible deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin over Ukraine. Her stance has raised concerns among some NATO members, including French President Emmanuel Macron, who believe the conflict should not escalate into a campaign to “crush” Russia.
The Baltics are among the largest donors of military aid per capita to Ukraine. They strongly support Ukraine’s NATO membership and the issue will be discussed at the summit. The streets and squares of Vilnius are decorated with blue and yellow Ukrainian flags to show support for Ukrainian aspirations.
Grybauskaite stressed the need to start the accession process for Ukraine because Putin could continue the conflict indefinitely if he waited for the post-war situation. Ukraine needs to join the alliance to secure NATO territory, she argues.
The Vilnius NATO Summit will serve as a platform to address Baltic concerns about the Russian threat, express solidarity with Ukraine, and advocate for Ukraine’s integration into NATO. The outcome of the summit will have important implications for the security and future of the region.
Former Lithuanian president Daria Grybauskaite has expressed skepticism, citing the Baltic belief that the West has underestimated Russia’s intentions and lacks the political will to respond effectively. emphasized. Grybauskaite emphasizes a deep-rooted dislike of Russia in the Baltics, given its history of Soviet occupation and skepticism about peaceful coexistence with Russia.
This section examines the strong support of the Baltics for Ukraine, as evidenced by their military aid contributions and their support for Ukraine’s NATO membership. The promotion of Ukraine’s accession to NATO is seen as vital to the security of allied territories. But there are disagreements among NATO allies over how to deal with Russia, and French President Emmanuel Macron has threatened an operation to “crush” Russia.
The Baltic countries’ strong support for Ukraine, as demonstrated by their military aid contributions and advocacy for Ukraine’s NATO membership. The push for Ukraine’s inclusion in NATO is seen as crucial to the security of the alliance’s territory. However, there are differences among NATO partners regarding the approach to Russia, with French President Emmanuel Macron cautioning against a campaign to “crush” Russia.
