Lithuania would move to a war footing without hesitation if Russia attacked its territory, Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said on the sidelines of a European ministers' meeting in Ireland. Speaking alongside EU counterparts and officials from Ukraine, Britain, Iceland, Norway and Canada, Budrys stressed that Vilnius would not wait for lengthy deliberations before acting.
“If there is attribution that it was Russia, and there is intention, and damage, then it falls under the UN Charter definition for self-defence,” Budrys told reporters. “Of course we would” respond, he added. “We don't need some working group or some commission to find out that we take our time.”
The meeting in Dublin took place against a backdrop of growing concern over Russian hybrid attacks across Europe. Germany recently formally blamed Moscow for a drone incident at Leipzig airport on 4 August, a case that featured prominently in the discussions. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told journalists that “Moscow has not changed its war aims,” and warned that the increasing frequency and violence of hybrid attacks are designed to “scare” citizens and weaken public support for Ukraine.
Hybrid warfare on the rise
European capitals have reported a surge in sabotage, cyberattacks, and other disruptive actions attributed to Russian operatives. These incidents range from infrastructure damage to interference in domestic politics. Denmark has warned that Russia is preparing sabotage against its defense industry, while Finland recently held its largest civil defence drill since World War II to prepare for potential Russian threats.
Budrys's comments reflect a broader shift in Baltic security thinking. For years, NATO's eastern flank has prepared for a conventional attack, but the current focus is on the grey zone of hybrid warfare. Lithuania, like its neighbours Estonia and Latvia, has been a vocal advocate for stronger NATO deterrence and for holding Russia accountable for actions that fall short of open military conflict.
The EU has struggled to respond cohesively to these provocations. Belgium has resisted EU efforts to seize Russian assets for Ukraine, highlighting the difficulty of maintaining unity. Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has described Russian drone sabotage as the new normal, urging member states to adapt to a persistent threat.
Budrys's insistence on immediate self-defence is a clear signal that Lithuania will not be deterred by the threat of escalation. “We are ready to defend every inch of our territory,” he said, echoing a sentiment shared by many in the region. The minister's remarks also serve as a warning to Moscow that hybrid attacks will not go unanswered.
As the meeting concluded, the focus remained on how to counter Russian aggression without escalating into a wider conflict. The presence of Ukrainian, British, and Canadian officials underscored the transatlantic dimension of the security crisis. For Lithuania, the message was simple: any attack, whether conventional or hybrid, will be met with a swift and decisive response.
