The minister commented in response to a question on the situation in neighboring Kaliningrad where Russia deployed anti-aircraft and anti-missile system S-400 earlier this year and the country's leader hinted about plans to deploy tactical missile systems Iskander in the region.
"I could answer in two ways. On the one hand, with no doubt, Kaliningrad's militarization is an additional hotbed where something might happen. Some accident, provocation, all sorts of things. We've had an instance when a Su-27 flew in and similar things. But I will say once again – I believe that our presence in the NATO Alliance and our participation in collective defense guarantees good position for us," Olekas said.
"On the other hand, every country has opportunities to develop its capabilities. Our neighbors also do that where they need to. It seems to me that our closer talking to neighbors is also one of the factors stepping up our security. I see this in the framework of the NATO-Russia Council, when attempts are made to talk and find points of contact. Let's take the Afghanistan operation when good communication with Russia is of some assistance to NATO. If we can find a common language in Afghanistan, we can find it in Europe as well," the minister said.
Talking about anti-missile defense capabilities that are developed by NATO and Russia, Olekas said that "we cannot forbid that to our neighbors who have the opportunity and perhaps that need, and also protect their space with the same shield which will cover our territory."
"Intentionally or unintentionally, but if it happens so that something poses threat to Lithuania, and one or the other umbrella prevents that, we will be satisfied if those threats do not reach Lithuania. But we have to have guarantees that the NATO umbrella protects us," the minister said.
Asked to identify potential threats and challenges to Lithuania's security, the defense minister mentioned terrorism, long-range missiles, and he also highlighted the need to integrate into NATO and EU structures.
"Since the time when we joined NATO and the European Union, our security has improved dramatically. Of course, our external environment is not totally calm. There are certain terrorism threats. As far as we know, long-range missiles still cannot reach Lithuania, but who knows how everything is progressing gradually. So I believe that threats monitoring, environment monitoring and active participation in both stepping up our tactical preparedness and our integration in collective defense within NATO and the EU guarantee our security," Olekas said.
"Of course, there are not only military but also energy and cyber threats. These issues are also under consideration and receive due attention. But in terms of defense and tactical security, collective defense is the key issue in our preparation for that tactical preparedness on the national level. To ensure collective defense, we need international cooperation, participation in operations and this is what we are doing," he said.
