Lithuanian and Polish Defense Ministers Call for International Support in Protecting Eastern Borders

Lithuanian and Polish defense ministers emphasized the need for international cooperation in safeguarding the EU and NATO’s eastern border during their visit to a section of the border fence with Belarus near Vilnius. The ministers estimated that the national border defense system would require €600 million over a decade.

Joint Efforts to Strengthen Border Protection

During the official visit, Lithuania’s Defense Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas and Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Wladislaw Kosiniak-Kamysz discussed the importance of enhancing border security with Russia and its allies. Kosiniak-Kamysz highlighted that protecting the eastern border of the EU and NATO is a top priority and called for international collaboration in addressing this critical issue.

Threat from Russia and Belarus

Concerns over security have escalated due to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. In response, Baltic and Polish leaders have urged the EU to actively engage in funding a €2.5 billion wall along the eastern border with Russia and Belarus to defend against military and hybrid threats.

Border Defense Initiatives

Poland has already approved a €2.3 billion border protection program called the Eastern Shield, following an incident where a soldier was killed in a knife attack near the border. Both countries plan to exchange experiences and support each other in fortifying their respective borders to enhance protection for NATO and the EU.

• Lithuania and Poland will implement measures such as anti-tank mines, remote mines, and anti-tank ditches to impede enemy forces.
• Lithuania’s Defense Minister highlighted that additional counter-mobility equipment will be arriving to strengthen border defenses.