We want stronger, more lethal NATO - Lithuanian FM

VILNIUS - Lithuania wants a stronger, better prepared and "more lethal" NATO, Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys says, adding that the goal is to make decisions to achieve this during the upcoming NATO summit.

He made the remarks on Thursday as he attends an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Turkey.

"We want a NATO that is stronger, more ready, and more lethal. That's what we are committed to, and that's what we seek at the Hague summit, and once again, to reaffirm that we are ready, we are prepared, and we are united," Lithuania's top diplomat said.

According to Budrys, Lithuania will go to the Hague summit having three main priorities: to increase defense spending, to put pressure on Russia and to support Ukraine.

"We made too many pledges to be better prepared, to be ready, and to have better plans. Now we have to fulfill them with defense investment," the minister said.

Lithuania plans to significantly increase its defense spending to 5-6 percent of its GDP between 2026 and 2030. Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas said earlier that his government would propose spending 5.25 percent of GDP on national defense next year.

"From Lithuania's perspective, 5 percent is doable. We have to achieve it faster than 2032 because we see the tempo and speed of how Russia generates its forces now as we speak," Budrys said. "Our answer is that it is doable. You need political will and some of the financial planning, but it is doable."