Steinmeier: "Lithuania's security is our security"

It's a summer Sunday in Lithuania's capital, Vilnius. The large Daukantas Square in the Old Town is packed. A celebration is taking place here in front of the Presidential Palace. Lithuanians are paying tribute to their first and only King, Mindaugas, who unified the Baltic country in the 13th century.

President Gitanas Nauseda is here and has brought with him a guest of honor: Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier . He is very pleased to welcome the visitor from Germany , Nauseda said, paying tribute to his colleague from Berlin .

The Federal President came with a promise: Steinmeier assured Lithuania, which borders the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, of Germany's support in defending its freedom. "By stationing a German brigade in Lithuania, we are making a lasting promise: Your security is our security," Steinmeier said before the heads of state, Lithuanian and German soldiers, locals, and tourists.

Germany knows, said the Federal President: "Whoever defends Lithuania defends Europe and defends Europe's values." Steinmeier did not mention Russia directly.

German Panzer Brigade to be stationed in Lithuania in 2027

The Federal President's visit also includes a visit to the headquarters of the Bundeswehr 's 45th Armored Brigade "Lithuania." The headquarters is preparing the deployment of the German combat unit. By the end of 2027, approximately 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers are expected to be permanently present and fully operational in the Baltic country.

The goal is to strengthen NATO 's eastern flank and protect Lithuanians from threats from Russia. The Baltic states fear that, following Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, they could become the next victims of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin 's expansionist ambitions.

The brigade was officially commissioned in May . However, the barracks and housing for the soldiers and their families still need to be built. Only then can the German units be relocated to Lithuania.

Steinmeier: "Germany stands by Lithuania's side"

At the military ceremony marking Lithuania's national holiday in Daukantas Square, the Lithuanian president called the German Brigade a "powerful signal of European solidarity and responsibility." Nauseda thanked Steinmeier for Germany's determination to stand side by side with Lithuania at Europe's border.

Steinmeier emphasized that he was proud that the Federal Republic of Germany was a partner of Lithuania. Lithuanians know that neither freedom nor peace can be taken for granted. "Freedom is not a state; freedom is a task," the Federal President said.

AR/pgr (dpa, ARD, efe)