Lithuania declared a state of emergency Thursday, in response to the “large military forces massed in Russia and Belarus,” hours after the invasion of Russia against Ukraine.
Lithuania President Gitanas Nausėda announced that parliament has unanimously approved the state of emergency that will last for two weeks. He stated that there is a risk to Lithuania’s primary security interests due to the Russian Federation’s actions. A state of emergency will cause strengthened borders, more security, and vehicles being checked for weapons at the border. Lithuania Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė further supported the decree for a state of emergency, by adding that cybernetic infrastructure’s security needed greater protection to protect the country, but ensuring that “there is no direct war threat for Lithuania “today”.”
A decree signed by the President called Russia’s actions against Ukraine criminal and that he could not remain “indifferent to this unprovoked military aggression.” Supporting Ukraine, Nausėda called for a “united and strong response” from the West to stop Russia’s attack, using the hashtag #StandWithUkraine in a Twitter post.
The concern at the moment is of possible attacks against Lithuania, making the border security tightening more necessary. However, the President insisted that a united response in the coming days is essential to the future of Europe.
Article: Lithuania declares state of emergency in response to Russian invasion of Ukraine