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Lithuania’s Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene emphasized the need for European countries to balance arms purchases between the U.S. and European manufacturers in the face of the Russian threat. She made this statement in an interview with Politico.
Sakaliene stressed that while Europe must bolster its own defense industry, maintaining strong transatlantic ties, including purchasing American weapons, remains crucial. “We will balance,” she said, highlighting that the focus should be on Europe’s security rather than favoring specific manufacturers.
She added, “Political and national interests will factor into decisions, but security is paramount. The most sought-after suppliers will be those who can produce weapons that best meet our needs and do so quickly.”
Sakaliene acknowledged Europe’s dependence on the U.S. for defense but stressed the importance of strengthening Europe’s own capabilities: “It would be naïve to think Europe doesn’t need the U.S. We do. But at the same time, Europe needs to grow stronger.”
Lithuania currently procures weapons from various countries, including Leopard tanks from Germany, Caesar self-propelled howitzers from France, advanced surface-to-air missile systems from Norway, and HIMARS rocket systems from the U.S.
This debate comes amid broader discussions within the EU about reducing reliance on American arms. French President Emmanuel Macron recently argued that European taxpayers’ funds for defense budgets should not be spent solely on American weapons. Meanwhile, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis proposed creating a €100 billion European Defense Fund, modeled after the EU’s pandemic recovery fund, to strengthen the continent’s defense industry.
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