DISINFO: Lithuania is not an independent state and does not have an army
SUMMARY
Lithuania wants to host next year’s NATO summit in exchange for loyalty.
Lithuania is planning to grow its defence budget to 2.5 per cent of GDP till 2030 ignoring the consequences of the pandemic. Lithuania also wants to switch to compulsory military service for both men and women.
But people do not need any of these, Lithuania is not going to fight anybody. Maybe if Lithuania was an independent state and had its own army it would be different.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative undermining the sovereignty of Lithuania and presenting it as a puppet of US and/or NATO. See related disinformation claims about the US presence in Europe.
Lithuania re-established its independence from the Soviet Union on March 11, 1990. The process of restoring the Lithuanian military began the same year and in 2004 Lithuania joined the European Union and NATO. The modern Lithuanian military has 4 major defence units: land forces, air forces, navy forces, special forces.
The military conscription for both men and women is a subject of discussions. According to the position of the government, it could be possible only with the consensus of all political powers, when the military is ready for it and when there is a financial possibility. Today women can join the Lithuanian army voluntarily.
People in Lithuania are concerned about the security of the state. The research of the Eastern Europe Studies Centre shows that 53 per cent of Lithuanian citizens think that big military conflict between Russia and Western countries is possible. 45 per cent of Lithuanians think that Russian policy poses a direct threat for Eastern European countries (28 per cent think that not). The research also shows that 44 per cent of Lithuanians agree that the defence budget of the country should be no less than 2 per cent of GDP (not agree 29 per cent). Fewer people (24 per cent) support the defence budget of 2.5 per cent of GDP.
Lithuanian defense budget in 2021 will slightly exceed 2 percent GDP.
See similar examples of disinformation, which present Lithuania as a puppet state: The US cyber forces are hiding behind Lithuania; Washington authorises vassals Poland and Lithuania to organise a colour revolution in Belarus; Lithuania’s president is the EU’s puppet, Lithuania is not sovereign.