US protection contributions ‘unfair,’ Europe must do extra, incoming Lithuanian minister says

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovile Sakaliene mentioned on Wednesday that the massive U.S. proportion of Western protection spending is unfair to Washington and that Europe must step up and bolster its protection industries to discourage Russia and China.

“Europe has to tug its weight” on contributions to protection, Sakaliene mentioned in an interview on the Reuters NEXT convention in New York. “It is unfair that contributions of the USA are nonetheless so disproportionately massive,” she mentioned.

Her feedback echo remarks from members of the incoming administration of President Donald Trump. She praised the muscular method to coverage of Trump’s nominee for protection secretary, Pete Hegseth.

Sakaliene mentioned that the “indecisiveness, weak spot and compromise of the Western world” led to the purpose the place it has issues procuring a million rounds of munitions for Ukraine.

Hegseth, whose nomination as head of the Pentagon must be accredited by the U.S. Senate, has run into hassle as a consequence of allegations of misconduct in his skilled and private life, together with accusations of sexual assault, which he denies.

Sakaliene mentioned: “I actually like a few of his ideas and concepts, which makes him very robust.”

She pledged to maintain Lithuania’s protection spending at 3.5% of its gross home product subsequent 12 months, and mentioned it may later go as excessive as 5%.

Modifications to Russia’s financial system point out it has navy ambitions past Ukraine, she mentioned, talking by way of video hyperlink from Vilnius.

“My solely fear and concern is that if now we have an phantasm that freezing the struggle in Ukraine…it is going to permit Russians firstly to organize for the third wave of annihilation of Ukraine and, secondly, for his or her subsequent steps of imperial enlargement,” Sakaliene mentioned when requested about Trump’s guarantees to deliver the struggle in Ukraine to a swift finish.

“As a result of they’ve remodeled their financial system from a peacetime financial system to a navy financial system for a purpose, and Ukraine will not be purpose sufficient for such large modifications,” she added.

Lithuania borders each Russia and its ally Belarus, and the incoming minister mentioned she is extra apprehensive that Russia would possibly invade it than she was a decade in the past.

Sakaliene mentioned the pragmatic argument for the USA to remain concerned in Europe is that it wants European help in its confrontation with China, and if Europe “is harm by Russia,” that may result in unhealthy penalties for the USA.

“I am very reasonable, and I perceive that Europe will not be even within the high three of the priorities of the USA. Precedence primary is the USA. After which it is Taiwan, after which it is Israel, after which Europe”, she mentioned.

“The struggle in Taiwan is coming, I feel it is clear to all of us,” she added.

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