Jonas Mazeika

🧵4/4 The cost of inaction is too high. If we fail to respond decisively, these provocations will evolve - finding new forms, targeting new vulnerabilities, and moving deeper into Europe. Deterrence starts with action. The time to act is now.

🧵3/4 We must learn the lesson - as long as hybrid provocations from Russia and #Belarus continue, it means our response is insufficient. The cost for our adversaries is too low - and that must change. We must show resolute unity and solidarity. When we act together, dictators back down. Here’s how: -Impose new sanctions on Belarusian actors behind airspace violations, introduce targeted tariffs, and establish a dedicated sanctions regime for hybrid threats -Continue the isolation of Belarusian and Russian regimes in international organisations& seek their responsibility -Accelerate the implementation of Eastern Flank Watch& European Drone Wall initiative -Activate #Frontex tools, deploy EU hybrid rapid response teams, and secure funding for border and infrastructure protection -Strengthen #NATO capabilities for infrastructure defense and intelligence sharing -Launch a strong regional response through coordinated action.

🧵2/4 We’ve seen this playbook before. From the weaponization of migration by the Lukashenko regime to the sabotage of Baltic Sea cables - each act is part of a broader strategy of disruption. But when the #EU and NATO respond with unity and precision, these tactics fail. Europe countered the migration crisis with coordinated sanctions, reinforced borders, and diplomatic pressure. #NATO launched Baltic Sentry to protect critical infrastructure after the cable sabotage. The lesson is clear: hybrid threats demand collective resolve and targeted action.

🧵 1/4 #NATO is facing a deliberate escalation of hybrid warfare from #Russia and its proxy, #Belarus. Last week, Russian military aircraft violated #Lithuanian airspace. Shortly after, dozens of helium balloons launched from Belarus entered our territory, moving towards major airports and disrupting civil aviation. These are not isolated incidents. #Germany, #Denmark, #Estonia, #Norway& #Poland have also reported incursions by drones, balloons and military aircraft - all disrupting civil aviation, threatening public safety and critical infrastructure. These are calculated provocations designed to destabilize, distract& test NATO’s resolve.

Friday morning in Oslo😊 @Poland25EU with EU HoMs hosted the PM @jonasgahrstore! In times of crisis EU-NO cooperation gets even more important! Sustainable peace for UA, NO’s policy on defense, energy and transatlantic relations on the table. Thank you for waking us up PM Store😊

Det er viktigere enn noen gang å ha et tett samarbeid med gode naboer 🤝 I dag hadde ambassadør Teemu Tanner æren av å ha forsvarsminister Bjørn Arild Gram som hovedgjest på et felles nordisk-baltisk lunsjmøte.

A pleasure to host @gurimelby today in the Estonian Embassy for the last #NB8 ambassadors’ lunch of 2024. Thank you for the lively discussion about the global context and political developments in Norway and the region.

#Lithuania will continue standing with #Ukraine by all means. 🇱🇹 has committed to allocating 0.25% of its GDP to security& defense of #Ukraine and aims to contribute more. The outcome of Russia's war against Ukraine will shape the future of Europe& the global order. 🇺🇦 Victory must be a strategic goal of the West, as it is a precondition for democracy to prevail.

I congratulate Kęstutis Budrys on his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania! 🇳🇴 and 🇱🇹 have strong bilateral ties and are close partners in @NATO & #NB8. I look forward to advancing our shared priorities including defence, resilience, and support for Ukraine.

Today, Kęstutis Budrys assumes office as the Foreign Minister of #Lithuania. "We will actively work with allies and partners to achieve stability and democracy in Europe and its neighbourhood. Lithuania's voice in the world will remain loud and clear," states FM Budrys.

I wish my successor Kęstutis Budrys the strength and steadiness needed to maintain Lithuania’s lead as a loyal transatlantic partner and flagbearer for democracy.

Tragically, one crew member is dead and others hospitalised after a DHL cargo aircraft crashed on approach to Vilnius Airport. My condolences to the victims' families. 🕯 The investigation is ongoing and nothing has been ruled out.

Delighted to meet @tsihanouskaya in Vilnius. I am deeply impressed by her courageous fight for democracy and human rights in #Belarus. I welcome recent releases of political prisoners, but almost 1400 remain unjustly behind bars. They must be released.

Norway and Lithuania share a strong bond as close allies and friends. In Vilnius today, @GLandsbergis and I confirmed our strong commitment to #Ukraine, including defence cooperation. We also exchanges views on the situation in Belarus and the High North. 🇳🇴🤝🏼🇱🇹

Thank you to Baltic brothers and Nordic family in Oslo! Truly grateful for extensive #3B 🇪🇪🇱🇻🇱🇹 and great Nordic-Baltic #NB8 🇩🇰🇪🇪🇫🇮🇮🇸🇱🇻🇱🇹🇳🇴🇸🇪 cooperation in Norway. #StrongerTogether #WeAreNATO

There are colleagues and there are friends and when you are lucky, one becomes the second. @LauriBambus I will truly miss you- that smile, wit and insight made any event a pleasure to attend. Italy, you are in for a treat!

There is one certain thing about diplomats work - you have to leave sooner or later. Wishing best of luck to our dear colleague @LauriBambus on his way from Norway 🇳🇴 to Italy 🇮🇹! Thanks a lot and we will miss you!

Thanked @David_Cameron for the UK's ongoing support for Ukraine and firm commitment to defence in our region. Even with hugely significant contributions from the US, Ukraine still needs more help and we in Europe must keep working on ways to provide it.

Historical first state visit of President of Moldova 🇲🇩 Maia Sandu @sandumaiamd to Norway 🇳🇴 Good discussion of #EU and #G7 ambassadors in Oslo with Foreign Minister @MihaiPopsoi Latvia 🇱🇻 and EU 🇪🇺 will continue support #Moldova and #Ukraine #TogetherForPeaceAndResilience

Together with Ambassadors of Nordic and Baltic countries #NB8 🇪🇪🇩🇰🇮🇸🇫🇮🇱🇻🇱🇹🇸🇪🇳🇴 in Oslo were pleased to discuss #climate & #environment issues, regional cooperation and global challenges with Minister @BjellandEriksen @kldep. #ClimateCrisis #nature #biodiversity #renewables