Lithuanian PM urges Ukraine to target more data centres in Russia

WARSAW - Ukraine's allies should urge President Volodymyr Zelensky to target more data centres in Russia, Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevicius said at the Warsaw Security Forum on Monday.

"I think we should ask Mr Zelensky to strike more data centres in Russia, and that might help," Sinkevicius said when asked what Lithuania, Poland and other allies should do to protect their elections from interference.

During a panel discussion on European security challenges amid global changes, Sinkevicius spoke with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.

"No one will offer us Europeans a seat at the decision-making table just out of politeness. To be there, Europe must find more strength, energy and unity within itself. Political commitments must materialise faster, and investments in national defence must translate into new defence capabilities," Sinkevicius said.

Strategies and plans are necessary, but "they do not deter Russia", he said.

"The defence industries of our countries still lag behind actual production needs, so we must look for ways to boost output through closer cooperation, learning from Ukraine's experience and the capabilities it is developing. The more we do together, from sharing information and joint procurement to joint production and exercises, the safer we will be," the Lithuanian prime minister said.

Sinkevicius said NATO remained the cornerstone of transatlantic security, adding that a greater European focus on security and a stronger assumption of responsibility would make the alliance more balanced and capable.

Air defence, including anti-drone measures, protection of critical infrastructure on land and in the Baltic Sea, a more effective response to hybrid threats, and military mobility are Lithuania's priorities, which are also important for NATO's overall security, he said.

During a bilateral meeting, Sinkevicius and Store discussed bilateral cooperation, regional and European security, and other issues of mutual interest.

"Lithuania highly values Norway's contribution to the security of NATO's eastern flank, our close ties and our like-minded partnership in formats such as the Nordic-Baltic Eight. Given our geographical proximity to Russia, its ongoing war and its active support for Ukraine, our region understands and feels these threats acutely. This also means we have a responsibility to help shape Europe's security architecture, not individually, but together and in solidarity," Sinkevicius said.

Lithuania will hold the presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2027, while Norway will take over the chairmanship of the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) next year.

The prime ministers agreed that this presented "a unique opportunity to strengthen decisions on Nordic-Baltic regional security" and to coordinate their actions.

Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas is also attending the annual security forum in Warsaw on Monday.