The defense alliance plans to once again strengthen its eastern flank, especially the Baltic states, which are fearful of a Russian attack.
As reported by the Munich-based newspaper Münchner Merkur, referencing the news magazine Newsweek, Lithuania, Poland, and other NATO states located near Russia and Belarus intend to enhance their defenses. Lithuania’s Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas stated that the “deterrent position on the eastern flank” including the Suwalki Gap, the area around the border between Lithuania and Poland, is also to be expanded. This line is considered a vulnerability of NATO and the most heavily fortified border of the alliance.
Lithuania is investing in its armed forces and their supply, Anusauskas told Newsweek. “Together with our allies, we are creating the right capabilities and plans to defend every inch of NATO territory.” Anusauskas further stated that the strip of land would continue to be a “fundamental challenge.” The situation requires “special measures to ensure credible deterrence and defense,” as the Baltic states are geographically particularly exposed.
Image: Kremlin.ru, Vladimir Putin (24.06.2023), CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, (no changes made)