NATO Leaders Call for Stronger Deterrence at Vilnius Assembly

NATO leadership and Lithuanian officials convened in Vilnius on June 1, 2026, for the NATO Parliamentary Assembly's Spring Session to address security threats from Russia and instability in the Middle East. Radmila Shekerinska, the NATO Deputy Secretary General, delivered a keynote speech emphasizing the alliance's resolve to defend all Allied territory and specifically expressed support for Romania following a Russian drone incident.

President Gitanas Nausėda addressed the assembly by highlighting Lithuania's defense spending, which has reached 5.38 percent of GDP. He called for an Integrated Air and Missile Defense Plan to be established at the upcoming Ankara Summit and urged for increased pressure on the Kremlin to end its aggression in Ukraine. Nausėda also noted that Iranian-led instability threatens global trade, pledging Lithuania's support for maritime security efforts led by the United States, United Kingdom, and France.

Both leaders aligned on the goals for the future Ankara Summit, focusing on scaling up defense industries and converting financial resources into combat-ready capabilities. During the session, Shekerinska also participated in a Q&A with European Union Commissioner for Space and Defence Andrius Kubilius, underscoring the strategic partnership between NATO and the EU.