Support The Moscow Times!

Lithuania President Asks NATO to Protect Country From 'Crimea-Style' Scenario

Lithuania's President Dalia Grybauskaite waves as she arrives at a European Union leaders summit in Brussels, Belgium. Francois Lenoir / Reuters

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite has urged NATO to deploy troops in the country and said Russian authorities should bury any hope of a "Crimea-style scenario" in Lithuania, a news report said.

Grybauskaite, who attended military exercises Tuesday during which Lithuanian troops practiced repelling enemy attacks, said there is a "vital" need for troops from the Western defense alliance, joined by the three ex-Soviet republics Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania in 2004.

"When we see the increasingly complex situation on the borders of Lithuania and Europe, when Russia is practically destroying the entire sense of security in Europe," she said, NR Baltija reported.

Grybauskaite called Russia's actions in Ukraine "unpredictable, uncontrolled," the Lithuania Tribune said.

"We see a country that is acting aggressively, brutally, ignoring everyone," she said. "In such a situation it is really very important for all countries to have a common position, common understanding, and find ways to peacefully ... find a solution and stop the aggressor."

NATO will triple its usual number of fighter jets patrolling the Baltic airspace next month, increasing the mission to 12 from its current four fighters, an alliance official has said. The jets are on call to respond to any violations of Baltic airspace.

Related:

NATO to Triple Baltic Air Patrol in May


Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more