‘We need to do more': German defence minister urges NATO action to counter Putin

Germany’s defence minister has referred to as on NATO to do extra to guard the alliance from Russia and President Vladimir Putin.

Christine Lambrecht made the assertion on Saturday whereas inaugurating the headquarters of a newly established NATO frontline brigade in Lithuania. 

"One factor is for certain: the present scenario means we have to do extra collectively," she mentioned, including "we can't know the way far Putin's delusions of grandeur can go". 

Lambrecht continued: "The brutal Russian conflict of aggression in Ukraine is getting extra brutal and unscrupulous... Russia's menace of nuclear weapons exhibits that Russian authorities haven't any scruples."

Putin has raised the prospect of utilizing nuclear weapons twice in latest weeks amid a retreat of Russian forces within the south and east of Ukraine. 

Germany first deployed troops to Lithuania, which borders the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, in 2017. 

In June 2022, Berlin agreed to ramp up its presence within the nation, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February. 

The brand new HQ will act as a staging submit for rapidly deploying a brigade of 5,000 troops to a possible fight frontline if crucial. 

Lambrecht added that frequent navy workout routines might make this course of transfer quicker.

Arvydas Anusauskas, Minister of Nationwide Defence of Lithuania, mentioned that the ten days presently wanted to maneuver a brigade is “very quick."

He added: “Allow us to recall that within the case of Ukraine, the details about the focus of the Russian forces on its border was identified for nearly 90 days."

For the reason that invasion of Ukraine, Baltic nations Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have referred to as on NATO to extend its presence within the area. 

The previous Soviet states worry Russia might potential menace their very own safety or sovereignty and that of the alliance. 

Different NATO member states have expressed worries that a beefed-up presence on Russia's fringes might escalate tensions, whereas a everlasting NATO presence would price the alliance billions to keep up.