Lithuania's prime minister said a recent surge in drone incursions over the Baltic states demonstrates the need for a robust Nato presence along the alliance's eastern border with Russia.
Inga Ruginienė made the remarks on Tuesday following a summit in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, between the leaders of the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) group of nations and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The group also held a video call with French President Emmanuel Macron.
"Recent drone incidents underscore the importance of a strong NATO presence and credible deterrence across the alliance's entire eastern flank," Ruginienė said.
The Baltic states – Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, which all border Russia or its close ally Belarus – have recorded a marked increase in airspace violations in recent weeks. Lithuania issued two air raid alerts in late May over suspected drone threats. On Monday, French fighter jets operating under NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission, based at Šiauliai air base in northern Lithuania, shot down a drone that had been spotted over neighbouring Latvia.
At the Tallinn summit, Zelensky pledged to work with Nordic and Baltic partners to counter drones that stray across borders as a result of Russian electronic warfare and jamming. The agreement covers the supply of technology, sharing of expertise, specialist training and broader security cooperation.
Ruginienė said Ukraine's battlefield experience offered lessons that the region could not afford to ignore.
"Ukraine has unique experience, and we must learn from it," she said. "Ukraine's experience under the most difficult circumstances is something we can apply in our own countries."
Discussions in Tallinn also covered regional competitiveness, defence industry supply chains, and the potential role of artificial intelligence in security. Ms Ruginienė stressed that the NB8 group was at its strongest when members acted in concert.
The leaders issued joint statements reaffirming their support for Ukraine, committing to strengthen defence industries and supply chains, and calling for sustained pressure on Russia.
The NB8 format brings together Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
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