VILNIUS – The idea that Europe could develop separate military capabilities to replace NATO is "geopolitically unrealistic", according to Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene.
"Even if our transatlantic family sometimes seems dysfunctional, divorce is not an option. We don't have anything to replace the Americans – and we don't need to," Sakaliene told the Yalta European Strategy Conference on Monday.
"Talk of Europe having separate military capabilities to replace NATO is geopolitically unrealistic. Today, our ability to work together in specific areas will determine both the outcome and the possibility of a ceasefire in Ukraine," she said.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently warned NATO allies in Europe against assuming that the American troop presence on the continent would "last forever" and urged them to spend more on defense.
This has sparked discussions in Europe about bilateral or regional defense alliances.
As reported by the Defense Ministry on Tuesday, Sakaliene emphasized during the Yalta European Strategy panel "Where is the War Headed?" that the transatlantic bond remains essential and that any guarantees for Ukraine will depend on Europe's ability to maintain strong ties with the US and invest in the continent's defense.
"Europe's ability to invest in its defense, develop its defense industry, and cooperate with Ukraine – both in continuing support and strengthening Ukraine's defense industry through joint projects – will determine how effectively we can assist it both now and in the future," the minister said.
The Yalta European Strategy conference is an international annual leaders' gathering held in Ukraine since 2004.
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