| Author (Person) | Saldžiūnas, Vaidas |
|---|---|
| Publisher | International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS / RKK) |
| Series Title | Diplomaatia |
| Series Details | No. 145, September 2015 |
| Publication Date | September 2015 |
| Content Type | Journal | Series | Blog |
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Lithuania for instance is a clear example of a country that has adapted its defence policy according to the geopolitical winds. In 1994 Lithuania set its goal of becoming a NATO member and Lithuania and its political elite made a strong pro-NATO case. The lesson from the interwar period was clear: it is better to be in a good defence club. It may not bring 100% guarantees, but it is better than a neutrality that your Eastern neighbour does not care about. And no one had any illusions about Russia, even in the 1990s. Two mantras have become important: help your allies, especially the US, and meet NATO standards. Sending troops on foreign missions has served two main goals of showing solidarity with allies and helping the troops themselves gain experience. The war in Georgia in 2008 did not have a real impact in Lithuania, which abolished conscription the same year and continued with expensive purchases of dubious military value. Events in Ukraine changed the Lithuanian approach to it, as the security situation degraded dramatically. |
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| Source Link | http://www.diplomaatia.ee/en/article/muutuste-tuul-kuidas-leedu-pooras-selja-patsifismile-ja-hakkas-taas-sojavage-armastama-copy-1/ |
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| Subject Categories | Politics and International Relations |
| Countries / Regions | Lithuania, Northern Europe |
