On December 10th, the Geopolitics and Security Studies Center (GSSC), in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation, the Atlantic Council, the German Embassy in Vilnius, the Foreign Policy Research Institute, and other partners, organized the tenth annual conference in memory of Lithuania’s Chief Diplomat, Stasys Lozoraitis. During the event, the center announced its transformation – the Eastern Europe Studies Centre has now become the Geopolitics and Security Studies Center (GSSC). The conference addressed critical issues, including transatlantic cooperation and security, the situation in Ukraine, Russian policies, modern and hybrid warfare techniques, and Lithuania’s defense.
Following the announcement of the center’s transformation, the keynote speech was delivered by the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda. The President emphasized the necessity of supporting Ukraine, the importance of maintaining strong and sustainable transatlantic ties, and ensuring the rapid development of the defense industry to strengthen Lithuania’s national security.
The conference was attended by the Minister designate of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys, the Minister designate of National Defense, Dovilė Šakalienė, and European Commission member Andrius Kubilius. “Since 2022, our mood, emotions, and determination have changed. At that time, we were counting ammunition and questioning whether tanks would arrive before the war ended. Now we have certain perspectives. Lithuania will have a factory producing 155 mm ammunition by 2026, and we will supply Ukraine. We have committed to supporting Ukraine for ten years with at least 0.25% [of our GDP], regardless of when the war ends. Lithuania will support Ukraine – for another ten years if necessary,” said K. Budrys.
During the discussions on transatlantic relations, Chief Foreign Policy Advisor to the President, Asta Skaisgirytė, and Ambassador Daniel Fried stressed the need to maintain these relations. D. Fried noted that Lithuania is doing everything required, analyzing the challenges posed by the new [U.S. Presidential] administration, but it is essential to demonstrate that Lithuania is willing to shoulder part of the security burden.
Regarding Russia’s war in Ukraine, Minister of National Defense Laurynas Kasčiūnas, analysts Michael Kofman and Konrad Muzyka discussed the situation in Ukraine, the direction of the war, and what actions the West must take to deter Russia from further escalation. “A third war is very likely, so the question arises: what security guarantees must Ukraine secure to reduce this likelihood? The first negotiations should occur between the United States and European countries to decide who will provide these security guarantees – whether they will be exclusively European or involve a broader system that includes the U.S.,” commented M. Kofman.
Experts Maia Otarashvili, Julia Berghofer, and Tomas Janeliūnas debated strategic responses to Russia’s so-called “red lines.” T. Janeliūnas highlighted that the most dangerous “red lines” exist in our minds, and the rhetoric and demands we hear from Russia are merely extensions of those red lines.
Analyst Franz-Stefan Gady and Lieutenant General Remigijus Baltrėnas discussed modern warfare techniques and hybrid warfare. “Technology allows us to achieve far more and reach much further. Russia aims to weaken and divide Europe, neutralize NATO, and utilizes various tools in its arsenal. The primary response to such threats must be national – this is how we can combat hybrid threats,” said R. Baltrėnas.
We extend our gratitude to all event participants, panelists, and moderators. See you next year at the eleventh annual conference!