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Europe Likely Has Two to Three Years to Enhance Defense Readiness, Says Lithuanian Defense Minister
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Europe may have significantly less time to prepare for a potential threat from the Russian Federation than previously anticipated, possibly only two to three years, rather than the expected three to five.
This assessment was delivered by the Lithuanian Minister of Defense Dovilė Šakalienė during her address at the Defence24 Days conference, as reported by Militarnyi on May 6.
Minister Šakalienė underscored the urgent need to accelerate both defense integration and the development of the defense industrial base across Europe, warning that the window for strategic preparation is narrowing rapidly.
“If the outcome of negotiations is unfavorable, particularly if sanctions against Russia are relaxed, the timeline for preparation may be reduced to just two or three years,” she stated.
The minister voiced concern that despite three years having passed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Europe remains largely in the process of establishing defense frameworks rather than operationalizing them.
“We must invest in the development of small and medium-sized defense enterprises. What is needed now are proactive, coordinated initiatives. We require industrial-level cooperation, not rhetoric, but rapid, tangible production,” Šakalienė emphasized.
She warned that any perception of inertia may be interpreted by Russia as a sign of weakness, posing serious strategic risks. Beyond capability, she stressed, Europe must project a clear and resolute message to the Kremlin.
The minister also identified excessive regulation and political disagreements as key obstacles to progress, urging that defense capabilities must not become mired in partisan conflict.
Highlighting the critical role of industrial cooperation among European states, she described such collaboration as “indispensable” for ensuring efficient procurement and the deployment of innovative technologies. According to the minister, all defense production in the coming years will be immediately allocated to meet the needs of national armed forces.
Earlier, Estonian Prime Minister Kristjan Michal announced that Estonia is prepared to contribute a company-sized unit to international peace-support efforts in Ukraine as part of the Western-led “Coalition of the Willing.”
Estonia is ready to join the coalition’s deterrence force, currently being developed under the leadership of the United Kingdom and France, aimed at providing Ukraine with credible security guarantees in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.
-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
