Status: 07.02.2022 4:24 p.m
As announced, the Bundeswehr is increasing its presence in Lithuania – by up to 350 soldiers. Defense Minister Lambrecht described the step as a clear signal of determination to the NATO allies.
The Bundeswehr is increasing its presence in the former Soviet Republic of Lithuania by up to 350 soldiers. “We are thus strengthening our contribution to NATO’s eastern flank and sending a clear signal of determination to our alliance partners,” said Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht during a visit to the Munster military training area. The message to the alliance partners is: “You can rely on us.” The additional soldiers could “be deployed within a few days,” said the SPD politician. She informed the Bundestag about the decision “a few minutes ago”.
Johannes Koch, NDR, on the inaugural visit of Defense Minister Lambrecht in Munster
tagesschau24 3:00 p.m., 7.2.2022
500 soldiers already in Lithuania
Around 500 Bundeswehr soldiers are currently stationed in Lithuania, which borders on the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and Belarus and has been part of NATO since 2004, as part of the western military alliance’s so-called front presence. Germany also regularly takes part in NATO airspace surveillance in the Baltic States and in Romania.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), currently visiting Washington, will receive the heads of state and government of the Baltic States in Berlin on Thursday. The focus is on the Ukraine crisis and the security situation in Eastern Europe.
No to arms sales to Ukraine
Already yesterday, Lambrecht defended the German government’s refusal to deliver weapons to Kiev in the Ukraine conflict. “It has been the clear stance of the federal government for a long time – even in previous legislative periods – that we do not deliver weapons to crisis areas in order not to escalate further there,” said the minister.
“In the Ukraine conflict we have negotiating partners who have come back to the negotiating table – in the NATO-Russia Council and in the Normandy format, for example. That’s why it’s now our task to de-escalate. We want to resolve this conflict peacefully,” Lambrecht said clear.