Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian Ministers of Defence – Kalle Laanet, Artis Pabriks, and Arvydas Anušauskas – held a video meeting to discuss possible steps to strengthen security in the region related to state-sponsored hybrid operation against Lithuania.
‘Lithuania is under hybrid attack and this is a security crisis that directly affects the Baltic countries and our region as a whole,’ said Minister of Defence of Estonia, Kalle Laanet.
‘Estonian has already provided practical assistance to Lithuania and we are ready to continue doing so, by sending Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) from our Defence Forces to Lithuania. Estonia is also ready to offer support in conducting procurements. I believe that we should also ask for support and help from our Allies,’ he added.
As a first step, the Estonian Defence Forces allocated 100 km of Concertina barbed wire to Lithuania to accelerate the process of strengthening its border, and Estonia will also assist Lithuania in acquiring additional barbwire.
“The current situation on the border is not just a migrant crisis, it is hybrid warfare against the European Union, NATO and especially against the stability of the Baltic countries. This hybrid attack requires a united and coordinated response from the Baltic countries. We are grateful to Estonia and Latvia for their solidarity and unity in the face of these threats,” Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas said.
The Defence Ministers jointly acknowledged the seriousness of the security situation and decided to further coordinate their actions and responses. In last month, more than 2500 irregular migrants arrived in Lithuania, which is almost 33 times more than last year and 66 times more than in 2019.
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