On Monday, the first 20 soldiers of the Bundeswehr brigade arrived in Vilnius, which will be deployed in Lithuania and is expected to eventually total around 5,000 personnel by 2027. The presence of the German brigade aims to strengthen security in the region.
“Together we are strong. The freedom of Lithuania is our freedom, and the security of Lithuania is our security,” said the German ambassador Cornelius Zimmermann during a welcoming press conference in Vilnius.
The Lithuanian Minister of Defense, Laurynas Kasčiūnas, emphasized that “we are at the beginning of a certain historical stage.”
“The deployment of the German brigade in Lithuania is slowly becoming a reality, which means more effective deterrence and even greater security,” the minister stressed.
“This is an example of exceptional leadership and commitment, where we actually see that collective defense and NATO unity are working,” assessed the commander of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, Valdemaras Rupšys.
According to the agreement reached in December of last year, worked out by a joint working group of the defense ministries of both countries, the deployment of the brigade is set to begin this year and conclude in 2027. The first group of 20 soldiers who arrived in Vilnius on Monday will be responsible for the smooth transfer of the brigade and coordination of military infrastructure requirements.
The brigade will consist of five battalions, including tanks and artillery. In total, Germany plans to deploy 4,800 soldiers and around 200 civilian personnel in Lithuania, including soldiers’ families, due to the long rotation period.
German soldiers will be stationed near Vilnius and Kaunas. Some will live in these two largest cities in the country. Additional logistical points will also be established in other locations.
Russian reaction
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that a planned German military presence in Lithuania would escalate tensions.
The NATO military alliance and EU member Lithuania, which borders Russia and its ally Belarus, said earlier it would partly finance permanently hosting 5,000 German troops from 2027.
The Lithuanian Minister of Defense, Laurynas Kasčiūnas, emphasized that “we are at the beginning of a certain historical stage.”
“The deployment of the German brigade in Lithuania is slowly becoming a reality, which means more effective deterrence and even greater security,” the minister stressed.
“This is an example of exceptional leadership and commitment, where we actually see that collective defense and NATO unity are working,” assessed the commander of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, Valdemaras Rupšys.
According to the agreement reached in December of last year, worked out by a joint working group of the defense ministries of both countries, the deployment of the brigade is set to begin this year and conclude in 2027. The first group of 20 soldiers who arrived in Vilnius on Monday will be responsible for the smooth transfer of the brigade and coordination of military infrastructure requirements.
The brigade will consist of five battalions, including tanks and artillery. In total, Germany plans to deploy 4,800 soldiers and around 200 civilian personnel in Lithuania, including soldiers’ families, due to the long rotation period.
German soldiers will be stationed near Vilnius and Kaunas. Some will live in these two largest cities in the country. Additional logistical points will also be established in other locations.
Russian reaction
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that a planned German military presence in Lithuania would escalate tensions.
The NATO military alliance and EU member Lithuania, which borders Russia and its ally Belarus, said earlier it would partly finance permanently hosting 5,000 German troops from 2027.
Source: TVP World, PAP, Reuters
More In Politics MORE...
