German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevicius held a joint press conference following their meeting at the Chancellery in Berlin.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that during their meeting with Sinkevicius, they discussed the Russia-Ukraine War, Russia's hybrid attacks against the Baltic states and Europe, and the 2027 budget of the European Union (EU) Commission.
Noting that there is a close partnership between Lithuania and Germany, Merz said, "The security of the Baltic states is the security of Germany, and the security of Berlin is also defended in Vilnius. We will act accordingly once we have fully established the German-Lithuanian Brigade in Vilnius by the end of 2027. This is the first time Germany has permanently established a military unit outside its own territory, and this shows that we take our solidarity within NATO seriously."
"We will provide a clear and strong response to Russia's hybrid attacks"
Reminding that steps are being taken for the security of NATO's eastern flank and especially the Baltic states, Merz said, "We are doing all of this to credibly deter Russia. Moscow is testing us. Just as in Lithuania, it is constantly conducting hybrid attacks here in Germany as well. The goal is clearly to hinder the aid we provide to Ukraine. Its goal is also to unsettle and divide NATO. However, we will not allow this. We are determined and we are united. We are in close coordination to repel these hybrid attacks together. If necessary, we will respond clearly and strongly. For this reason, we are strengthening our cyber defense, our armed forces, and our defense industry together. We are also fighting against the propaganda and disinformation coming from Russia."
"As long as Russia understands the language of force, we will continue our support for Ukraine"
Merz stated, "Russia must now truly end this war, which has been going on for almost five years, and begin peace negotiations. We are working intensively to ensure that such negotiations take place as soon as possible. Ukraine and Europeans must be at the table in these negotiations. Our goal is a sovereign Ukraine in a secure Europe. However, as long as Russia only understands the language of force, we will continue our support for Ukraine."
Stating that his country, along with Lithuania, is one of Ukraine's strongest supporters, the German Chancellor said, "This support is not intended to prolong the war. This support is intended to bring Moscow to the negotiating table."
"We will neither be intimidated nor divided; on the contrary, we will defend ourselves"
Merz also answered a question today in the German parliament regarding the assessment by the President of the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND), Martin Jaeger, that his country could be dragged into a direct and violent conflict with Russia. Stating that attacks originating from Russia have long since ceased to be limited to Ukraine and that Germany is also a target and victim of these attacks, Merz said, "In recent months, Russia has not only initiated its policy of expansionism and revisionism but has also significantly intensified it. Moscow is testing us not only with such hybrid attacks but also through the propaganda it spreads in Germany and other European countries. This propaganda is also supported by extremist parties that have become mouthpieces for Moscow. However, our message is very clear and very explicit. We will neither be intimidated nor divided. On the contrary, we will defend ourselves. We are ready to defend, and that is why we are undertaking all these efforts."
"We are still far from solving the problem of global maritime trade security"
Regarding a question on how he views global energy security following reports that the Yemeni army had recaptured the strategic port city of Mocha on the Bab al-Mandab Strait from the Houthis, Merz assessed, "Such news may perhaps be a reason for cautious optimism, but nothing more. The Strait of Hormuz must be permanently reopened. In other words, we are clearly still far from a solution to the problem, but there is always hope."
"Russia uses peace as a tool to achieve its imperialist goals"
Lithuanian Prime Minister Sinkevicius also said that Europe must take on more responsibility for its defense and do everything in its power to ensure long-term support for Ukraine. Sinkevicius said, "Russia continues to use peace as a tool to achieve its imperialist goals. As an EU member state, we are a peaceful country and we must show that we are ready to defend ourselves. Of course, we must prepare, and we are doing this calmly together with our national partners as a NATO member country. Perhaps we don't talk too much, but we are fulfilling our duties. As long as peace is not achieved in Ukraine, all tensions will not disappear. And it is clear that Russia has not yet shown good faith to sit at the negotiating table. We must strengthen our unity, support Ukraine, and be prepared for everything, even if we do not want these scenarios."
News Source: 12punto
