Lithuania to prioritize EU defense during Council presidency

Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas has stated that defense will remain a top priority during Lithuania's upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union. The ministry aims to strengthen European defense readiness, promote sustainable defense industry development, and ensure comprehensive support for Ukraine.

A key focus will be enhancing military mobility across the Union and strengthening the Eastern Flank, which serves as the EU and NATO external border with Russia and Belarus. Lithuania plans to host an informal meeting of EU defense ministers in Vilnius this April.

Additionally, Lithuania intends to organize a high-level conference for the ‘Eastern Flank Watch’ initiative. This project, which involves 18 countries, focuses on defense decisions at external EU borders, border protection needs, drone threats, and integrating Ukraine's military experience into European planning.