NATO has turned Vilnius into a fortress defended by advanced weaponry to protect U.S. President Joe Biden and other alliance leaders meeting next week only 32 km from Lithuania’s razor-wire topped border fence with Russian ally Belarus. | Reuters
But for the region with total population of about 6 million people, this is not enough to sustain large militaries, invest in their own fighter jets or advanced air defence.
Poland and Germany sent helicopter-enhanced special operations forces. Others are sending measures to deal with any potential chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear atacks. “If Lithuania was alone, I would feel differently,” he added. “If not for the NATO membership, things here could already be same as in Ukraine,” said Elena Tarasevic, 55, Rynkun’s neighbor.
“Lithuania asked us for protection of the summit, and also NATO asked Germany for help. This is our answer,” he added.Lithuania has tripled the deployment of border guards at the Belarus and Russian borders for the summer, augmented by officers from Latvia and Poland. The two countries have also sent police to help patrol Vilnius.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Wagner fighters preparing to move to Belarus, commander quoted as sayingMercenary fighters of Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Wagner group are preparing to move to Belarus under the terms of a deal that defused their mutiny against Russia’s military leadership, a senior commander of the group was quoted as saying. | Reuters
Read more »
Turkey’s Erdogan says Ukraine deserves NATO membershipUkraine deserves to have NATO membership, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Russia said it was closely watching.
Read more »
Zelensky in Prague as Ukraine pushes NATO goalsPRAGUE, Czech REPUBLIC -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky admitted in Prague Thursday that Ukraine's counteroffensive was 'not fast' but said Kyiv's troops were advancing.
Read more »
Ukraine’s Zelenskiy urges NATO summit to send ‘clear signal’ on membershipPRAGUE — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on NATO leaders to take concrete steps toward Ukrainian membership at a summit next week, as he received support during a visit to Prague
Read more »
NATO makes membership pledge to Ukraine as Zelenskiy drums up support'Our summit will send a clear message: NATO stands united, and Russia's aggression will not pay,' NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says.
Read more »
Zelensky meets Turkey’s Erdogan to push Ukraine NATO bidPresident Volodymyr Zelensky entered crunch talks with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the final leg of a European tour aimed at pushing Ukraine’s bid to join NATO and secure more weapons from allies. | AFP
Read more »