EU hybrid response mechanism must not duplicate NATO, Lithuanian defmin says

VILNIUS - Lithuania's Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said on Monday that any European Union mechanism to counter Russian hybrid attacks should avoid duplicating NATO functions and capabilities.

"The most important thing is that the European Union simply cannot duplicate NATO capabilities and the NATO format. Because then we will simply have duplication and no real benefit from it. The goal is to increase efficiency," Kaunas said after a meeting of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council.

According to him, the European Union should have clear procedures for responding to hybrid threats and a pre-coordinated list of measures so that long political debates are not required in the event of every Russian provocation. Discussions on the issue will continue, he added.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen stated in September that the European Union needs an emergency security protocol corresponding to NATO Article 4. European Union officials expect more detailed proposals in a new security strategy document scheduled for release next month.

The European Union Council on Monday also approved five European defence projects of common interest, including the "Eastern Flank Watch" eastern flank monitoring initiative.

"This is particularly important and relevant for our region. With the approval of the 'Eastern Flank Watch' project, initial financial investments have been allocated so that we can start implementing our eastern flank security and defence projects. (...) We are working to ensure that this initiative is continued and that funds for the eastern border and regional security are provided in the multiannual financial framework," Kaunas said.

The "Eastern Flank Watch" initiative was proposed in May by Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden, with more countries joining later, bringing the total to 18 nations. According to preliminary estimates, its financing need could reach about 100 billion euros. The project can be financed from the European Defence Industry Programme, which has a budget of 1.5 billion euros.

Meanwhile, the defence ministers of the Baltic states asked the European Commission last week to urgently allocate 500 million euros to strengthen their counter-drone capabilities. Kaunas said that signals from the European Commission regarding financing are positive and that a decision should not be delayed.

"I hope that the Commission will make a decision in the near future. (...) I do not have the mandate to evaluate the Commission's working time, but positive signals mean that this issue should be addressed as a matter of priority," he said.