German Chancellor Olaf Scholz backed calls from EU Baltic states for a large increase in the number of foreign troops in the region ahead of an important NATO summit this month.
The Baltic states have called for multinational battalions of about 1,000 troops in each nation to be converted into brigades, usually made up of 3,000-5,000 troops.
“We are ready to strengthen our commitment and develop it into a strong combat brigade,” Scholz told a news conference in Vilnius with Baltic leaders.
Strengthening the defense of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will be one of the most important decisions NATO must take at its summit in Madrid on June 29-30, as the military alliance takes stock of the changed world after Russia’s full-scale war. against Ukraine.
Until now, NATO has relied on a “tripwire” approach in the Baltic states, involving a small number of troops that would likely be captured by a Russian invasion before being reinforced by Poland and the rest of the continent.
But Baltic leaders are pushing for NATO to try to repel any Russian attack from the outset. In addition to ground brigades, they want the current regional air police mission to be turned into an air defense mission that allows fighters to shoot down enemy aircraft.
Germany, which has already increased its troop presence in Lithuania since the Russian invasion and agreed to massively increase its defense spending, is one of the first European countries to publicly endorse the Baltic approach.
“The Baltic states are in a very sensitive situation with the security of NATO’s very front line. . . We agreed on the need to increase the defense capabilities of the Baltic States by increasing the number of troops deployed and by strengthening air and naval defense, “said Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda.
Scholz also reaffirmed Germany’s and NATO’s commitment to “protect every inch of NATO territory” in the event of an attack.
Baltic politicians were outraged by Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to continue talks with President Vladimir Putin despite the war in Ukraine.
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However, Germany is adamant in its support for the defense of the Baltic states. Foreign Minister Analena Burbock said in April that her country was “not listening carefully enough” to the Baltic states’ decades-long concerns about Russia.
She added: “Having a minimum military presence in the Baltic states and Poland will not be enough in the future.”
The Baltic states are trying to keep up pressure on other European countries to increase sanctions against Russia, including reducing gas purchases and providing more weapons to Ukraine – areas where Berlin is more reluctant.
“Europe has done a lot to help Ukraine, but that is not enough. The war has not yet been won. We must stay on this path and not slow down in any way. On the contrary, the speed only needs to be increased, “Nauseda said.
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