EU country’s government at odds over record military spend
Lithuania’s draft budget for 2026 has fueled tensions within the ruling party, after the prime minister accused the defense ministry of misleading the public over military spending plans.
This week the Baltic nation’s government endorsed a record defense budget of €4.79 billion ($5.6 billion), equal to 5.38% of GDP, and in line with NATO’s drive to boost military spending. The draft will be debated before final parliamentary approval later this year.
However, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry held an off-the-record meeting with journalists and opinion leaders on Tuesday, who were allegedly told military spending would be below 5% of GDP and to pressure the government to increase the funding, local media reported.
Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene initially called the meeting “sabotage” and that the defense budget had been prepared and agreed upon earlier. She criticized party colleague and Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene, telling the media that she will meet with her on Monday.
“We are all on the same team,” Sakaliene told reporters in response, adding that “hostile forces can easily exploit misunderstandings.”
Under pressure from US President Donald Trump, European NATO members promised to increase military budgets to 5% of GDP. EU governments have also announced large-scale military investments, citing an alleged threat posed by Russia.
Moscow has repeatedly denied assertions that it intends to attack the US-led military bloc and has pointed out Western European leaders’ increasingly bellicose rhetoric, and military buildup.
Along with its Baltic neighbors, Lithuania has taken a hard line toward Moscow since the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022. The country has been one of Kiev’s most vocal supporters, pressing for tougher sanctions and greater NATO involvement.
