On Wednesday, Anusauskas discussed the security situation and possible additional measures to bolster regional security with the ambassadors of nine NATO countries, including the US, UK, France, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Norway, the Ministry of National Defense said.
As the regional security situation deteriorates, Lithuania is taking additional steps to step up its national security, the minister said, adding, however, that allied presence remains the key security guarantor for our country and the region.
"NATO deterrence and defense are very important. We are grateful to allies for all of their assistance as their contribution to our security is huge. We are now inviting allies to consider expanding the existing assistance measures," Anusauskas said after the meeting.
He also named the priority areas where allies assistance would be especially important. The deployment of rotational defense capabilities is one of them. The minister also thanked Denmark for its decision made earlier this month to bolster the NATO air policing mission in the Baltic states by sending in four F-16 fighter jets and also deploying a frigate with 160 troops in the Baltic Sea.
Regional security comes into focus as Western countries are concerned over Russia's military buildup near Ukraine's border. The West accuse Moscow of planning to invade its neighbor this winter as it has massed up to 100,000 troops near Ukraine's borders.
Moscow claims the army manoeuvres come in response to NATO's growing activity in its sphere of influence. Russia is also issuing categorical demands for the Alliance to stop its expansion towards Russia's borders.