On Friday (17 January 2025), NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Sekerinska concluded a three-day visit to Lithuania, where she participated in the Snow Meeting 2025 in Trakai and visited NATO forces at the Rukla military base.
At the Snow Meeting, an annual high-level forum hosted by Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry to address Euro-Atlantic security challenges, Ms. Sekerinska underscored the urgency of increasing defense spending and production, supporting Ukraine, and countering hostile actions against NATO Allies. “Russia is the most significant threat to our security. It wants to wipe Ukraine off the map,” she said, adding that Moscow is actively working with China, Iran, North Korea, and Belarus to weaken Allied unity and deter support for Ukraine. “They will not succeed,” she asserted.
The Deputy Secretary General also addressed the growing threats of cyber-attacks, disinformation, political interference, and sabotage targeting Allies. She highlighted NATO’s launch of Baltic Sentry, an initiative designed to bolster vigilance and security in the Baltic Sea region. Looking ahead to the NATO Summit in The Hague, she emphasized that Allies are preparing an updated strategy to counter these hostilities. She called for defense spending to exceed the 2% of GDP benchmark, noting that current threats demand greater investment.
During her visit to the Rukla military base, Ms. Sekerinska met troops from NATO’s Forward Land Forces, led by Germany, and Lithuania’s Iron Wolf Brigade. She commended their professionalism and commitment, emphasizing NATO’s collective resolve. “Your presence sends an unmistakable message: Lithuania does not stand alone. NATO will deter any aggression. One for all, and all for one,” she stated.
Ms. Sekerinska’s visit included meetings with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, and Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. She also inaugurated the eighth Transatlantic Policy Planners’ Conference in Vilnius on Wednesday.