The President and Prime Minister of Lithuania will discuss the relocation of the brigade and the security of the region with O. Scholz

As announced by the Presidency, the leaders will discuss Germany’s contribution to strengthening Lithuania’s security, the process of permanent deployment of the German brigade in the country, support for Ukraine, and observe the “Grand Quadriga” exercise of the German armed forces at the training ground of General Silvestros Žukauskas on Monday.

During the visit, O. Scholz will also meet with German soldiers serving in the international NATO battalion.

In the afternoon, the German chancellor will take part in a meeting with Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonyte, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas in Riga.

As reported by the Government, the meeting is expected to discuss issues of regional security, support for Ukraine, current topics of the European Union’s agenda, cooperation between the countries in the fields of security, economy, energy and communication projects of strategic importance.

Last year, the 3+1 format meeting of the heads of government of the Baltic States and Germany took place in Tallinn, Estonia.

The deployment of the German brigade in Lithuania started to be discussed after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Germany announced a concrete commitment to this last June. The first soldiers of the brigade arrived in Lithuania at the beginning of April.

More than 20 soldiers are stationed in Vilnius and are responsible for planning the brigade’s transfer to Lithuania and coordinating the requirements for military infrastructure.

The brigade will consist of about 5 thousand. soldiers, they should arrive in Lithuania by the end of 2027. Lithuania estimates that investments in the military and training infrastructure necessary for the reception of the German brigade could reach 800 million. euros.

The German-led international NATO battalion deployed in Lithuania in 2017 will also be integrated into the brigade. It is intended to be done in 2026.

The purpose of deploying German soldiers is to strengthen the security of Lithuania and NATO’s eastern wing.