Vaidotas Urbelis

This evening, near the @USEmbVilnius, Lithuanian people honor the American soldiers who tragically lost their lives in Pabradė: the area is covered with candles and flowers. The tragic incident has shaken us all to the depths of our hearts. These soldiers will never be forgotten.

@vaidasu, Defence Policy Director at @Lithuanian_MoD, joins #HDF2025 in Feb 2025! 🌏🇱🇹 A key voice in @NATO, the #EU & #globalsecurity, he brings 20+ years of expertise in #defensestrategy & #internationalsecurity. 🔗 pacforum.swoogo.com/hdf-2025 #PacificForum #DefensePolicy

This week, at a key @US_EUCOM strategic conference in Ramstein, 🇱🇹Defence Policy Director @vaidasu stressed that Russia is deterred only by a visible military presence on the ground. He emphasised the vital role of US troops in Europe & the need for strong transatlantic efforts.

Congratulations, SecDef @PeteHegseth 🇺🇸 We deeply appreciate the unwavering support the U.S. provides to Lithuania. Being on the northern eastern border of NATO, we do not take freedom for granted. LT defense spending will reach 4% in 2025, and we aim for at least 5% in 2026-2030. We believe NATO must be recalibrated to fight against russia tonight if needed. US forces on the ground in 🇱🇹 is an indispensable factor to deter any aggressor. As the only DefMin sanctioned by China, I’m proud to say we stand our ground here as well. We safeguarded 🇱🇹 from dangerous 🇨🇳 investment. No other European country has such defense cooperation with #Taiwan as we do. Our partnership with the #US has been tested in the hottest theatres worldwide, and we are ready to work shoulder-to-shoulder in the future. #StrongerTogether

🇱🇹DefMin @DSakaliene congratulates @PeteHegseth on his appointment as 🇺🇸Secretary of Defense. We fully support his vision to ensure fair burden-sharing among Allies. Lithuania stands ready to uphold its commitments and has decided to raise defence spending to at least 5% of GDP.

The Lithuanian MoD expresses its solidarity with employees of the Ministry of Defence of Sakartvelo who stated their commitment to the European and Euro-Atlantic integration. @ModGovGe

🇸🇪 government today decided to reject the applications of 13 offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea, while granting one (Poseidon) on the Swedish west coast. The reaction time in the event of a missile attack could go from 2 minutes to 60 seconds with wind farms in the way. (1/4)

🇱🇹🇨🇦Canada's new Defence Attaché to Lithuania, Colonel Philippe Sauvé, was accredited today. Canada is an essential part of the transatlantic link which is fundamentally important for European security and stability. We look forward to strengthening our bilateral cooperation.

Given that all Nordic-Baltic (NB) countries have demonstrated willingness to enhance cooperation on security issues w/ partners in the Indo-Pacific, we established NB Dialogue on Defence Cooperation. The first Political Director level meeting is taking place in Vilnius this week.

Participating in the EU Defence Policy Directors meeting today, 🇱🇹Policy Director @vaidasu emphasized Lithuania's long-term support for Ukraine. We commit to allocate 0.25% of our GDP for this purpose. Strengthening Ukraine's defence industry & addressing urgent needs is crucial.

🇺🇦Strengthening support to Ukraine through 🇬🇧Interflex mission in the UK. 🇱🇹Lithuania is committed to training at least 400 Ukrainian troops in the Operation Interflex this year.

We honor the courage and determination of the 🇱🇹Lithuanian people, who on this day 33 years ago stood up to Soviet aggression and bravely defended and restored Lithuania’s independence. We are #StrongerTogether. Ginklo Broliai!

Full support to our Allies and Partners responding to Houthi attacks against maritime traffic. Such terrorist attacks can not go unanswered. Maritime security and freedom of navigation must be upheld.

We had a great discussion yesterday at the @ACScowcroft Center with the defense policy directors from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

Soldiers and Airmen from the @PANationalGuard joined our partners in @LTU_Army recently to begin planning for Engineer Thunder 2023, an upcoming exercise between the Pa. National Guard and Lithuanian army engineers. 📸: Capt. Nathaniel Curtis

Today, 🇱🇹@Lithuanian_MoD Policy Director @vaidasu attended the #NATO Defence Policy Directors meeting in Belgium. Lithuania underscores strengthening defence and deterrence in the NATO Eastern Flank, including air & missile defence and prepositioning of equipment & ammunition.

Statement from the Joint Expeditionary Force gov.uk/government/new…

Defence Secretary @BWallaceMP today met with counterparts from Northern Group nations to discuss security in Northern Europe. The 12 ministers issued a joint statement condemning Russia’s invasion of #Ukraine. 🇬🇧🇩🇰🇪🇪🇫🇮🇩🇪🇮🇸🇱🇻🇱🇹🇳🇱🇳🇴🇵🇱🇸🇪 Read more here👇 ow.ly/mfjL50JsFWR

The Ministers of Defence of the Northern Group met in Reykjavík, Iceland, on 8 June 2022, and gave the following statement: 🇮🇸🇩🇰🇪🇪🇫🇮🇩🇪🇱🇻🇱🇹🇳🇴🇳🇱🇵🇱🇸🇪🇬🇧 shorturl.at/qrHUY

Attending a working meeting at the invitation of the Danish and Polish defence ministers to discuss our military aid to Ukraine. We are providing significant assistance, but it needs to be made even more significant. Ukraine's determined fight against the aggressor is worth it.🇺🇦