Donald Trump, who on Monday begins his second word as president of the United States, called on NATO allies to rise defence spending to at least 5% of GDP. This represents a crucial leap compared to the current 2 percent goal of the alliance.
Poland has promised to scope 4.7% of GDP this year — the highest in NATO — but today's decision of the Lithuanian State Defence Council makes it the first country to promise to meet Trump's challenge.
Lithuania, which borders the Kremlin's ally Belarus and the Russian exclave, the royal circuit, has long warned against Russian aggression along the east flank of NATO. In fresh years systematically increased defence spending in consequence to the threat posed by Russia.
"Tough times require courageous decisions and leadership," wrote Budrys on platform X. "We call on our allies to follow this example. The era of passive “sit and wait” strategies is over," he said.
