Dilara Hamit and Fatma Zehra Solmaz
18 April 2026•Update: 19 April 2026
- Minister calls for higher defense spending, deeper integration within NATO framework, 'including Türkiye, UK, Norway and others'
Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys rejected calls for a standalone European defense structure, stressing that efforts should instead focus on reinforcing the existing NATO framework.
Speaking to Anadolu on Saturday at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026, Budrys warned that European nations are not yet doing enough to meet NATO’s agreed plans and targets, casting doubt on the feasibility of acting independently.
"European nations are not doing enough. If we are not doing enough for the NATO plans and targets, with the United States included, how come we can do this alone?" The foreign minister said.
Amid ongoing discussions about forming a so-called “European army,” Budrys emphasized that duplicating NATO structures would be counterproductive.
"We have to strengthen the European pillar of NATO," he said, noting that this pillar should extend beyond EU members, also including "Türkiye, the UK, Norway and others."
Budrys said the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara will be a critical test of allied unity and credibility, stressing the need for members to reaffirm their commitments to the alliance.
“It has the very strategic importance for NATO to show to the world and even more important to each other, for the allies, just once again to commit that the NATO organization is alive ... the alliance is still the strongest in the world in history,” he said, adding that allies must show readiness to implement previously agreed commitments, including those from the Hague Summit.
Describing the current period as a moment of heightened scrutiny of NATO’s credibility, he stressed the need for unity and effective deterrence, as well as continued support for Ukraine.
Higher defense spending, gaps in EU and industry readiness
He also stressed the need for countries to increase defense spending and convert it into real military capability, pointing to Latvia as an example, which he said is allocating 5.4% of its GDP to defense — the highest share in NATO.
“We all have the capability targets, meaning how your land forces should look like, how your navy, how your air force should look like,” he said, adding that countries must implement agreed plans before expanding ambitions.
Budrys said the European Union could play a facilitating role in strengthening defense efforts, while stressing the need for the defense industry to be adequately prepared for the process.
“The defense industry has to be ready for it,” he said and added: “Because now it's not flexible enough. Capacities are still lacking. We also have to invest more in the regulation to make it more flexible and more competitive."
'Türkiye is a great ally within NATO, a great ally of Lithuania'
Budrys also dismissed recent questioning of Türkiye’s role in NATO, including remarks attributed to Israeli officials, saying such doubts are misplaced.
“Türkiye is a great ally within NATO, a great ally of Lithuania,” he said, emphasizing Ankara’s contribution to the alliance's decision-making and collective security.
He pointed to Türkiye’s military presence and participation in NATO missions, including deployments in the Baltics and AWACS operations in Lithuania, as clear evidence of its commitment.
“I have absolutely no doubt. There is no such question for us,” he added, rejecting any suggestion that Türkiye’s membership or role in the alliance should be questioned.
