The President in Copenhagen: European Union enlargement is a geopolitical necessity

Continuing his working visit to Denmark, President Gitanas Nausėda attended the seventh meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) in Copenhagen on Thursday. The main topics discussed during the meeting were European security and defense challenges, migration, as well as energy and economic security issues.

Speaking at the roundtable discussion "Security and Resilience - Traditional and New Threats", the President emphasized that Europe is currently under comprehensive pressure - military, hybrid, cyber, and informational.

"Our security is being tested not only at our borders or in our airspace - it is being tested in our institutions, in the information space, and in our citizens' trust in democracy. Threats stretch from the Baltic to the Black Sea - therefore, we must act in a united and coordinated manner and without delay," said the President.

The Lithuanian leader stressed that the Eastern European states, especially those bordering Russia and Belarus, are under constant pressure and provocation.

"This summer, Russian drones violated the airspace of several countries, including Lithuania. These are not random incidents, but a deliberate tactic of escalation that must be met with clear and swift action. Lithuania not only identifies threats but also takes responsibility: from 2026, the country's defense budget will reach 5.25% of GDP - one of the highest rates in Europe," said the Head of State.

The President welcomed new European Union initiatives on eastern flank monitoring and a drone alliance with Ukraine, but emphasized that they must develop into real, funded, and effective programs. He underlined that Europe's response must be flexible and involve not only EU members but also strategic allies such as the United States.

Speaking about the war in Ukraine, the President noted that Russia is showing no willingness to make peace and is instead investing in the continuation of the war - allocating more than 9% of its GDP to military operations, while drone attacks continue to increase. "We must respond decisively by increasing military, financial, and technological support for Ukraine. Lithuania will allocate 0.25% of its GDP annually to Ukraine's security and invites other countries to join," said the President.

Mr. Nausėda stressed that sanctions against Russia and its supporters must be tightened, particularly through additional tariffs, criminal liability, asset seizures, and preventing the circumvention of sanctions. The President recalled that the adoption of the 19th EU sanctions package would send a strong message to Moscow.

He also highlighted new hybrid threats: from the instrumentalization of migrants to attacks on underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, including the shadow fleet, which has become a tool not only for circumventing sanctions but also for sabotage.

In the discussion on resilience, the President identified critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity, strategic communication, and energy independence as priority areas.

"The Baltic countries have achieved energy independence from Russia, but it is necessary to continue joint projects to strengthen infrastructure protection," said the President.

Finally, the President emphasized that European Union enlargement is a geopolitical necessity, not merely a strategic choice. Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkan countries must see a clear, consistent and reliable path to membership.

Lithuania, together with France, Italy, Denmark, Latvia, Poland, and many other European countries, has joined the European Coalition Against Drugs (ECAD) initiative.

The declaration of the initiative sets out the countries' commitment to strengthen cooperation in combating drug trafficking and organized crime, to implement comprehensive health and prevention measures, and to enhance financial supervision in order to trace, seize and prevent the use of funds obtained through criminal activities.