Lithuania on the right track in ramping up its security - defense chief

VILNIUS - Lithuania is on the right track in bolstering its national security, Chief of Defense General Raimundas Vaiksnoras said on Thursday.

"In my view, we are on the right path - both the State Defense Council's decisions to strengthen our national division and the development of other capabilities and the acceleration of procurement are contributing to this," he told reporters in the parliament after listening to President Gitanas Nauseda's annual State of the Nation Address.

Vaiksnoras said it is widely understood that only in a secure Lithuania can business operate, investments come in, the economy grow and people's well-being improve.

The general also noted that politicians have shown consistency in building up the armed forces, regardless of who is in power.

"Every time we have these discussions, I'm involved. They listen, they take military advice seriously, which I truly appreciate. So everything we've said publicly or that's been communicated has been part of a synchronized effort," he said.

In his address, Nauseda praised what he called Lithuania's "finally proper" investment in defense, but emphasized that the country must continue to bolster its military capabilities and show leadership in Europe in the face of the Russian threat.

Lithuania's 2025 budget earmarks around 3 percent of GDP for defense, but the increased borrowing limit means the percentage can rise to around 4 percent over the course of the year.

The country aims to spend between 5 and 6 percent of GDP on defense between 2026 and 2030.