Germany ready to take responsibility for Europe's security - vice chancellor in Vilnius

VILNIUS - Germany is ready to take responsibility for Europe's security and to develop a brigade in Lithuania, German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said in Vilnius on Tuesday.

"While discussing the 2026 budget, I think we made it clear that we want to continue actively contributing to strengthening the defense alliance and helping achieve NATO goals," Klingbeil told a news conference after meeting with his Baltic counterparts in the Lithuanian capital.

"We'll try to implement this even earlier than agreed and want to show that Germans are ready to take responsibility for Europe's security," the vice-chancellor said.

"As for defense spending, which we've agreed on, we want the German brigade here in Lithuania to become a reality. This would send a clear message to the people of Lithuania and the Baltic states that there's no doubt the German government will stand by its allies. It's a very important and unequivocal signal," he said.

Klingbeil emphasized that as the security situation in Europe changes, Germany is working to defend freedom and independence and the Baltic states are close allies in that effort within NATO and the European Union.

"I'm confident that the Baltic governments, as well as the German government, can rely on each other's support. In Germany, we're taking comprehensive steps to increase our security capabilities and ensure deterrence," he added.

The vice chancellor said that the finance ministers also discussed EU-level defense funding instruments.

"We're working to implement the Stability and Growth Pact, which would enable safe financing for European investments and loans. The German brigade is one example of how we can make use of those European tools," he said.

Klingbeil noted that his visit to Lithuania was one of his first bilateral trips as vice chancellor, which, he said, reflects the importance of the Baltic region.

"I want my visit to send a clear message that this region is very important to Germany. I've been here before and have established many friendly ties. All three Baltic states are very important partners for Germany and the German government, and we want even closer cooperation with these countries," he said.

Lithuanian Finance Minister Rimantas Sadzius emphasized that all three Baltic states, along with Germany, are committed to significantly increasing defense spending.

"Latvia and Estonia are also on this path, and the new German government has also made sweeping decisions for which we are very grateful, because this is a serious step forward in bolstering European security."

The Lithuanian finance minister described the ongoing deployment of the German brigade in Lithuania as "a fundamental shift."

"We're also ready to ensure that the brigade can operate properly here and has suitable living conditions," he said.

Germany plans to fully deploy the brigade - some 4,000 to 5,000 troops - in Lithuania by the end of 2027.

Sadzius noted that the Baltic states and Germany are committed to supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia - something Klingbeil also underlined.

"We support Ukraine and are committed to defending it against Russian aggression. We demand that Russia end its aggression and we'll do everything in our power to support Ukraine financially, politically and militarily," the German vice chancellor said.