Lithuania says NATO should provide 'real security guarantees' to Ukraine

'Attempts to pressure Ukraine to negotiate on unfavorable terms at expense of its sovereignty ... have nothing to do with just and sustainable peace,' says President Gitanas Nauseda

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said Wednesday that NATO countries should provide real security guarantees to Ukraine as NATO's approach to Russia must be based on the fact that "Russia will remain the most significant threat for a long time.”

"The attempts to pressure Ukraine to negotiate on unfavorable terms at the expense of its sovereignty and territorial integrity have nothing to do with a just and sustainable peace," Nauseda said at a news conference with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Brussels.

He said NATO members need to work on a more ambitious financial pledge for the upcoming Hague Summit next year.

"So, we should focus on Ukraine's victory and the containment of Russia," he said, adding that NATO countries should provide "real security guarantees" on Ukrainian soil.

"NATO's approach to Russia must be based on the fact that Russia will remain the most significant threat for a long time," said Nauseda. "NATO should review itself," especially for short notice scenarios.

Rutte praised Lithuania for its support of Ukraine and its defense spending.

Responding to a question about the possible danger faced by "frontline" states, Rutte said he always has "some argument" with the notion of frontline states.

"I come from the Netherlands, you would also argue that Rotterdam and Amsterdam are frontline cities, that London is a frontline city, that Washington is a frontline city," he said.

Rutte said the latest technologies and possibilities in modern warfare have put everyone on the frontline.

"So, all of us are in this together ... we are all frontline states," he added.

He noted that NATO allies are safe now but warned he is "not so sure about four or five years from now, when you look at the huge defense production taking place in Russia, in China."

Rutte indicated that not to be caught in that difficulty, NATO has to quickly decide on spending more and discuss what that level would be.

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