The German Chancellor's visit to Lithuania signifies Berlin's first permanent military deployment abroad since WWII, responding to Russian aggression. A new 45th tank brigade, consisting of 4,800 German soldiers and 200 civilians, will protect NATO's eastern flank, particularly in Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia. Announced following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the brigade aims to achieve full operational status by 2027. Merz stressed the necessity of enhanced European defense capabilities in light of increasing security threats across the continent, advocating for increased production within Europe.
Together with our partners, we are determined to defend the alliance territory against any aggression. The security of our Baltic allies is also our security.
We stand firmly by Ukraine but we also stand together as Europeans as a whole and we play, whenever possible, as a team with the US.
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