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War, Threat, or Occupation: Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Outlines Russia’s Future Moves in NATO

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Amira Barkhush
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War, Threat, or Occupation: Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Outlines Russia’s Future Moves in NATO
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, in Kyiv, April 1, 2025. (Source: Ukraine’s Presidential website)

During his visit to Kyiv, Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, Kęstutis Budrys, called for Russia to be restrained to avoid a war with the Russian Federation or a potential occupation of the Baltic states.

This was reported by European Pravda, citing Budrys’s statements made on April 1, during a press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

The Lithuanian minister was responding to questions about how his country assesses Russia’s plan to attack or destabilize Lithuania and how real the threat of an attack on the Baltic countries by Russia is.

Budrys said that NATO’s intelligence has reached a consensus that Russia poses a long-term direct military threat to the alliance.

“This assessment is well-founded. Specifically, it is based on Russia’s plans and capabilities, which are being developed and positioned very close to NATO. They have invested in this for decades and are clearly preparing for a long-term confrontation with NATO,” the minister stated.

He noted that Russia is using military force to achieve its political goals.

“These political goals are clear; Putin has stated them several times. He has said that he wants to see no Americans in Europe. He wants to dominate Europe… He wants Lithuania to not be a prosperous country,” the minister remarked.

Budris emphasized that the threat from Russia is real and long-term, making deterrence essential, as Russia will remain a neighbor in the future.

“We have three options with Russia: either war, or the threat of Russia, or occupation. To avoid the latter, we must be in a position where we can deter. Otherwise, we will be in a state of war,” the minister stated.

On November 26, 2024, General Christian Freuding, Head of Germany’s Special Task Force on Ukraine at the Ministry of Defense, stated that Germany has identified signs suggesting the Russian military plans to rebuild its capabilities by 2029, potentially gearing up for renewed aggression.

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