Germany stationed for the first time since World War II, troops abroad

Germany stationed for the first time since World War II, troops abroad

Vilnius, Lithuania - Chancellor Friedrich Merz has launched a pioneering German brigade in Lithuania, which is intended to help protect the eastern flank of NATO. He said on Thursday: "The security of our Baltic allies is also our security", while the concerns continue to exist on Russian aggression.

strengthening the NATO-East flank

Merz emphasized that the strengthening of the German military forces a signal to the ally sends to invest in one's own security. The stationing of the brigade in Lithuania is the first time since World War II that a German brigade is stationed outside of Germany in the long term. The Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said after the meeting with Merz: "This is a historical day. A day of trust, responsibility and action."

complete operational readiness by 2027

Germany has station troops in Lithuania since 2017-directly on the border with the Russian exclave Kaliningrad and the Moscow allied Belarus-to secure the eastern NATO limit. With the new brigade, Germany deepens its obligations. A vanguard started a little more than a year ago with the preparations and grew to an “activation rod” of around 250 people last autumn. The 45th Panzerbrigade will probably reach its full strength of around 5,000 soldiers that are stationed in Rukla and Rudninkai by the end of 2027.

important military presence at the Vilnius

dozens of military helicopters flew over the central cathedral square in Vilnius on Thursday afternoon, while the inauguration came to an end due to the rain. Hundreds of soldiers and spectators were present. Merz said at the event: "Protect by Vilnius also means protecting Berlin." The stationing in Lithuania is part of Germany's efforts to strengthen its military capacities after years of neglect, while NATO members are under the pressure of increasing defense spending, in view of the possible other Russian aggression and pressure from Washington.

Bundeswehr massively upgrade

Merz explained that Germany "invests massively in its own armed forces" beyond the new brigade. "With this we would also like to send a signal to our allies: Let us invest determined in our own security," he added. "Together with our partners, we are determined to defend the alliance's territory against every - really every - aggression. The security of our Baltic allies is also our security."

increase in defense spending in Lithuania

Lithuania announced in January to increase its defense editions to between 5 % and 6 % of GDP from next year, i.e. from just over 3 %. This makes Lithuania the first NATO nation that sets the 5 %goal required by US President Donald Trump. A plan is developed that all allies spend 3.5 % of GDP for their defense budgets by 2032, plus an additional 1.5 % for potentially defense -relevant things such as infrastructure - streets, bridges, airports and seaports.

destinations by 2032

Merz said that these figures appear "sensible and also available" - at least in the coming period until 2032. The German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced that the defense spending over the next five to seven years is planned by 0.2 percentage points.

diplomatic efforts for peace in Ukraine

Merz has intensified diplomatic efforts since taking office at the beginning of the month in order to achieve an armistice in Ukraine. "We are firmly at the side of Ukraine, but we are also together as Europeans - and, whenever possible, we play in a team with the USA," he said.