Lithuania raises defense budget for security, not due to outside pressure - president

VILNIUS - With Republican Donald Trump set to return to the White House, President Gitanas Nauseda said on Thursday that Lithuania is increasing its defense budget to meet its security needs, not due to pressure from partners.

"This is important to us, regardless of any outside demands. (Increasing the defense budget) is our own internal commitment to do everything we can for our security," Nauseda told reporters at the European Political Community meeting in Budapest.

Prior to the US election, some European leaders and analysts feared that a Trump victory could lead to a reduced US focus on the European Union.

Trump caused a stir in February when he said he would "encourage" Russia to attack any NATO member that fails to meet its financial commitments.

This year, Lithuania allocated around 3.2 percent of GDP to defense. Next year's draft state budget earmarks about 2.5 billion euros, or 3.03 percent of GDP, for defense.

Nauseda expects defense spending to grow to 3.5 percent of GDP in the future.

"I hope we can reach 3.5 percent, and in the near future, even 4 percent of GDP," he said.