Budrys at the Bled Strategic Forum: European unity, resilience, and determination – the most powerful weapons against authoritarian regimes

On Tuesday, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys participated in the Bled Strategic Forum international conference session "Europe Secure and Free." The minister stressed that the main long-term threat to a free and secure Europe is Russia with its unwillingness to abandon imperialist ambitions. According to Budrys, Russia's actions are not random, but part of a consistent and deliberate revisionist strategy.

"If we do not stop Russia in Ukraine, we will pay a higher price later," the Minister said.

Budrys reminded that the West did not respond adequately to previous Russian aggression-in Georgia in 2008, in Crimea and Donbass in 2014, and even after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some countries continue to buy Russian gas, allowing Russia's war machine to continue operating.

The Minister also underlined that the threat posed by Russia is not only military, but also hybrid: "Russia is attacking societies across Europe with cyber-attacks, disinformation, sabotage - these are attempts to divide, intimidate and weaken our resilience. We must use all tools to increase our resilience," the Minister said.

According to the Minister, the Baltic states have many years of experience in countering such threats and are among the best prepared within the NATO Alliance. Budrys said, however, that Europe as a whole needed political resolve and a coordinated response.

Budrys identified three priorities to ensure a safe and free Europe: support for Ukraine, strengthening European defence, and reinforcing the transatlantic bond.

"The fate of Ukraine is a test of Europe's security. We cannot grow weary of supporting Ukraine. But we must also recognize that Russia will remain a long-term threat to Europe, regardless of the outcome of its war against Ukraine. Europe needs to mobilise and act faster to its defence. We have to take responsibility for our own security", said the minister.

Budrys also said that NATO and the US had a critical role to play in ensuring a free and secure Europe, making the strengthening of transatlantic ties essential. At the same time, the minister underlined that European unity, resilience, and determination are the most powerful weapons against authoritarian regimes that threaten the European security architecture and the international rules-based order.

"Deterrence is cheaper than war; now is the time to act," said Budrys.