European countries can't fully replace US military aid to Ukraine, says Lithuanian FM

Lithuania's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kestutis Budrys, has stated that European countries are not in a position to fully replace the United States in providing military assistance to Ukraine.

In an interview with RBC-Ukraine, Budrys highlighted the critical nature of certain military supplies that Europe simply cannot substitute, per Caliber.Az.

“There are critical supplies for which we have no substitutes. And we all know what these are. That’s why we must continue cooperating with the United States,” Budrys explained, in response to questions about the ability of Europe to fill potential gaps in U.S. military support to Ukraine.

Budrys emphasized that, while European nations should continue to ramp up cooperation with Ukraine in the defense sector, focusing on boosting their own weapons production, it is clear that U.S. involvement remains vital for Ukraine's defense efforts. He also noted that the U.S. will continue to be an essential part of Europe’s security architecture.

In the same interview, Budrys referred to Russia as an ongoing “direct military threat” to the Baltic States. He claimed that Moscow seeks to “conquer” its neighboring countries, stressing that the current level of threat is not only about Russia’s military capabilities but also about its long-standing intentions toward the region.

"Russia has been a direct military threat to the Baltic countries for many years. The threat is not only defined by Russia’s military strength but also by its ambitions. And I have no doubt about Russia’s intentions. They remain. They want to conquer neighboring countries,” Budrys asserted.

The Lithuanian Foreign Minister also expressed concern about the post-conflict landscape in Ukraine, suggesting that once the war concludes, Russia’s military capabilities on the Baltic front could increase. He warned that the Baltic States might face a "long front line" and called for increased defense preparations to ensure the region’s security.

As tensions remain high between Russia and NATO-aligned countries, the continued military support from the U.S. to Ukraine remains crucial, according to Budrys, and any future security strategies in the Baltics will depend heavily on international cooperation and resilience.

By Khagan Isayev