In a difficult geopolitical situation, NATO is building up its military power. The Baltic region is a strategically important area for NATO. In this regard, a build-up of foreign military presence is being carried out in this region.
The Baltic States continue to act as the initiators of the deployment of foreign troops on their territory. Financing of military contingents and military infrastructure is carried out at the expense of local taxpayers.
Lithuania plays the most important role in the militarization of the Baltic region. The country entered the new 2022 year with an updated National Security Strategy. Considerable attention is paid to the maximum possible expansion of the USA, Germany, Great Britain and other countries' military contingents on the territory of Lithuania.
A significant part of the state budget for 2022/2023 has been allocated for the development of infrastructure and conditions for the comfortable deployment of foreign troops, as well as for combat training events.
Many military maneuvers have already taken place in the first month of the new year. Here are just a few of the most important ones.
On January 15, more than 750 servicemen of the Lithuanian Armed Forces reserve were called up to conduct training camps.
From January 14 to 18, firing exercises took place at the Pabrade training ground, a feature of which was the testing of SPIKE anti-tank systems installed on German Boxer Infantry Fighting Vehicles from the "Iron Wolf" Mechanized Infantry Brigade.
On January 29, regular military exercises were held in the Vilnius district. This time, the site of the exercises was not a training ground. Soldiers of the Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces learned how to perform tasks in urban environments while interacting with the local population.
Along with the intensification of the military activity, there is an increase in the presence of foreign troops. The leadership of the country gives priority to this issue.
How does the local population feel about the presence of foreign military on their territory?
Of course, according to the results of a sociological survey conducted in December 2021 commissioned by the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence by Spinter tyrimai company, 74% of the country's residents trust the Armed Forces. At the same time, 89% of respondents positively assess Lithuania's membership in NATO. But there are other independent surveys with very different results.
According to the results of a survey conducted in 2021 by the Vilmorus company, only 59% of respondents trust the Armed Forces. At the same time, only 39.7% of respondents positively assess Lithuania's membership in NATO. The Vilnius Institute for Policy Analysis, referring to the data of 2021, presented the results of its survey, according to which, the respondents expressed complete disappointment with the state's policy, as well as distrust of the U.S., NATO and the EU, and also showed an extremely low percentage of trust in the Armed Forces.
31% of respondents believe that NATO takes money from budgets of member states. It would be better if this money went to the well-being of people. More than half (54%) are convinced that Lithuania does not have an independent foreign policy, everything is dictated by Brussels (EU). Another 32% believe that Washington controls Lithuania's foreign policy.
However, all the measures taken to strengthen defence capabilities of Lithuania, in the opinion of the Minister of National Defence, are not enough. From his point of view, it is necessary to consider the issue of resuming military conscription for the population of Lithuania, including women.
The build-up of the foreign military presence and the constant increase in the military budget will continue. Growing tension in Ukraine will increase the intensity of such events, which are a source of instability in the Baltic region.
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