Lithuania Plans to Build Military Facilities Near Russia-Belarus Border

Jakarta, IDN Times – On April 11, 2025, Lithuania announced plans to construct several new military facilities within its territory. This decision stems from concerns that existing facilities are inadequate to accommodate the growing number of Lithuanian troops and NATO personnel stationed in the country.

Increased Military Presence

Amid rising tensions in Eastern Europe, Lithuania aims to enhance its military capabilities. The country is currently home to thousands of soldiers from various NATO member states. Notably, Germany has announced plans to permanently station troops in the Baltic nation. In March, Lithuanian Prime Minister Gitanas Nauseda revealed a defense budget increase to 5.25% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a move aimed at bolstering military readiness against potential threats from Russia.

Strategic Expansion in Suwalki Gap

Lithuania's Chief of Military Staff, Raimundas Vaiksnoras, highlighted the need for additional military infrastructure in the southern part of the country. He identified 14 potential locations for new military facilities. This region, known as the Suwalki Gap, is strategically significant and vulnerable, bordered by Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, and Russia. It is viewed as NATO's weakest point, situated between Belarus and Russia's Kaliningrad exclave. Lithuania previously maintained military facilities in Varena since 1925 and is considering reactivating them in light of current geopolitical challenges.

Defense officials in the Baltic states have expressed concern that Russia's military activities in the Suwalki Gap may escalate following ceasefire negotiations in Ukraine.

Increased Surveillance of Russian Transit

In conjunction with the military expansion, Lithuania's Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic stated that Russian freight and passenger trains passing through Lithuania will now be subject to special aerial surveillance using helicopters. "Our goal is to ensure safe transit of trains from Russia, not just for Lithuania but for the entire European Union," he said. The European Commission has allocated €25 million (approximately IDR 477 billion) for Lithuania to acquire three helicopters equipped with advanced video surveillance systems and emergency equipment.

Proposed Sanctions Against Russia and Belarus

Additionally, Lithuania's Foreign Ministry has proposed the establishment of mechanisms to impose economic sanctions on Russia and Belarus independently of the European Union's collective actions. The proposal aims to ensure that sanctions can continue even if the EU decides against extending them. The ministry stressed the need for individual member states to retain the ability to respond to threats and said it would start sanctioning Russian and Belarusian individuals who support the war in Ukraine.

Lithuania's proactive measures reflect its commitment to enhancing national security amid an increasingly tense geopolitical landscape.