**Lithuania Backs EU Plan for $43.5 Billion in Military Aid to Ukraine**
Lithuania has expressed support for an EU initiative to provide Ukraine with up to 40 billion euro ($43.5 billion) in military aid this year. The country‘s foreign minister, Kestutis Budrys, said that similar funding will be necessary in the future to prevent another Russian attack.
**Ukraine’s Armed Forces Need Long-Term Support**
Budrys told Reuters that if Ukraine can sustain a significant amount of military aid for a longer period, it would allow Ukrainian armed forces to keep their current strength. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Lithuania has been one of Ukraine’s most vocal backers.
**Lithuania Increases Defense Spending**
The Baltic state ranks among Europe‘s top defense spenders, allocating 2.85% of GDP to defense in 2024. Vilnius plans to increase that figure to between 5% and 6% from 2026 to 2030.
**EU Foreign Ministers to Discuss Proposal**
EU foreign ministers are set to discuss the proposal in Brussels, with the plan introduced by the bloc’s diplomatic service led by former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. The talks come amid uncertainty over U.S. negotiations with Russia and Washington’s broader security commitments to Europe.
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