Lithuanian top diplomat highlights major gaps in EU defence

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys has complained about "major gaps" in European countries' defences during an interview with Reuters.

He stated that the EU lacks sufficient equipment to detect unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

"We have big holes in our EU defence. We lack the right equipment that would allow us to detect drones, to follow them, to track them, and then to destroy them. We lack it," Kestutis Budrys told Reuters on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

"We have to bring this technology to the front line and to build it there, build it there so that it will be effective together with Ukrainians," Budrys said.

He also emphasised that Ukraine should be fully integrated into the EU’s "drone wall" plans along the eastern border, as Kyiv has extensive experience countering drones. 

"Ukraine was fighting back drones every night and had the integrated systems to counter drones." he added. 

Budrys said Moscow was using the alliance's hesitations and debate on how to respond to expand the grey zones.

"We have to also very clearly articulate and show to Russia that further escalation from their side will bring a harsher response," he mentioned.

On sanctions, Budrys noted the need for Europe to tighten measures on Russia’s hydrocarbons sector and stressed coordination with the United States.

"Without the United States and without coordination with the United States, European sanctions are weak. When we have the United States in the front and pulling all the train, it works," he concluded.

By Khagan Isayev