In a joint interview with Delfi on Monday, January 22, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and Polish President Andrzej Duda announced plans for joint military exercises in the Suwalki Corridor, a critical region that is of strategic importance to the defense of Eastern Europe. The exercises are aimed at increasing the corridor’s defense capabilities and allaying the North Atlantic Alliance’s concerns about potential vulnerability to Russian military aggression.
The Suwałki Corridor, stretching along the border between Lithuania and Poland, plays a key role in separating Russia’s Kaliningrad Oblast from Belarus. The North Atlantic Alliance has identified the region as one of Europe’s potential hotspots, vulnerable to potential Russian military attacks. The joint military exercises, to be held in April, mark joint efforts by Lithuania and Poland to strengthen the defense of the corridor and ensure the security of NATO’s eastern flank.
President Nauseda emphasized that the Suwałki Corridor is an integral part of NATO’s strategic plans, and joint exercises focus not only on the corridor itself, but also on strengthening broader defense capabilities in the region. President Duda reaffirmed Poland’s commitment to the security of the corridor, highlighting the significant measures taken last year to strengthen the country’s defense in the east.
“Over the last year, we have been actively rebuilding Poland’s defense in the east of our country. New units are being created, and the capabilities of existing units in Bartoszyty, Greczany and other areas are being expanded,” said President Duda. “We are intensifying the Polish military presence and increasing the capabilities of our border guard along the Polish-Belarusian and Polish-Lithuanian borders.”
The joint Suwalki Corridor exercises take place at a time when other NATO member states are also taking significant steps to counter potential security threats in the region. Spain has announced plans to send hundreds of its troops to Slovakia in early 2024, contributing to the overall defense effort within the Alliance. Moreover, Germany’s commitment to deploy 4,800 troops in Lithuania by 2027 is a historic move – the first permanent deployment of German troops since World War II.
Joint efforts by NATO member states, including joint military exercises in critical regions such as the Suwalki Corridor, underscore the Alliance’s commitment to maintaining a robust defense posture in the face of evolving security challenges. As the geopolitical landscape continues to change, cooperation among NATO members remains crucial to ensuring the security and stability of Europe’s eastern flank.
Author: Diana Kaminski
