Latest news with #Nausėda
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NATO chief calls for boost in military budgets
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is calling for significantly higher defence spending in view of the geopolitical confrontation with Russia. "We have to stand ready so it will be considerably more than the 2% we were used to," Rutte said during a visit to Lithuania. He said that the alliance's current annual defence-related spending target of 2% of economic output is no longer adequate to address today's security challenges. The host, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, also called on the allies to invest significantly more money in the military. "Russia will not wait," Nausėda said. Rutte took part in a one-day meeting of the so-called Bucharest Nine Group (B9) and the Nordic countries in Vilnius. The summit, which was also attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, served to prepare for the NATO summit in around three weeks' time in The Hague. The B9 includes Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and the three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The Nordic states are Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. Nausėda warned that Russia is trying to consolidate and rebuild its armed forces as quickly as possible. "We have very limited time to do the same," he said. "I hope we will be able to reach the agreement regarding the 5% of GDP target." There is no need to talk about very long timetables or additional deadlines of 2035 or 2040, he added. US President Donald Trump is demanding that the alliance partners spend 5% of their economic output on defence. Rutte recently proposed a compromise formula of increasing defence-related spending to 3.5% and spending an additional 1.5% on infrastructure. He assumes that the NATO states would agree to this.
Euronews
4 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Rutte dismisses concerns over US troop withdrawal from Europe
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday denied any indication that the United States was reviewing its military presence on the continent, saying instead Washington would maintain "a very strong conventional" deployment in Europe. "What we know is that the US, next to Europe, of course also has to take care of the Middle East, has to take care of the Indo-pacific and it is only logical that over time as we are building up that the US will pivot so much more towards Asia," Rutte told journalists at a press conference in Vilnius on Monday. "But I am convinced there will be a very strong conventional US presence in Europe, next to the nuclear presence," the NATO chief added, speaking on the margins of a summit in Vilnius with the Bucharest Nine (B9) format and Nordic countries. Rutte's comments come amid long-standing allegations – spurred by US-Russia talks to end Moscow's war in Ukraine – that Washington would reduce or withdraw its troops in Europe. Last February, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Europeans during a visit to Poland that US troops on the continent were "important," and that "you can't make an assumption that America's presence will last forever." The US had nearly 84,000 service members in Europe in early 2025, according to a report from the Council on Foreign Relations, which also specifies that over the course of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, now in its fourth year, the total number of troops has ranged between approximately 75,000 and 105,000 military personnel. In Vilnius, Lithuania's President Gitanas Nausėda echoed Rutte's remarks, saying he had not received any indication of a US troop withdrawal or reduction in Europe. Nausėda said there were so far 1,000 US soldiers "standing shoulder to should with the soldiers of Germany, Norway, and NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence," which includes battlegroups in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. "We are ready to increase this number if there is political will from the US administration," Nausėda added. Candy manufacturer Haribo has recalled its 1-kilogram bags of Happy Cola Fizz in Belgium after traces of cannabis were found in some bags in the Netherlands, the Belgian food agency FAVV-AFSCA confirmed on Monday. In a joint press release with the agency, Haribo noted that consumption of these sweets can lead to health complaints such as dizziness. The withdrawal concerns large bags of fizzy colas with production code L341-4002307906 — the same batch that was recalled earlier in the Netherlands. "Haribo has carried out this recall in Belgium as a precautionary measure," Belgian food agency spokesperson Liesbeth Van de Voorde told Euronews. She noted that, so far, no reports have been received in Belgium of people becoming unwell after eating the sweets. "We have set up a consumer hotline for this purpose, and we have not received any news of issues in Belgium." People are strongly advised not to eat the recalled sweets. In case of consumption, it is recommended to contact a GP immediately. The one-kilogram bags of sour candies were already withdrawn from sale in the Netherlands following reports that several people in the country, including adults and children, reported feeling unwell after eating these sweets. A sample testing revealed that the product was laced with cannabis after police were notified of the issue. Dutch authorities are now investigating how the candy became contaminated with these drugs. In the Netherlands, only three bags are involved so far. Still, Haribo is recalling the entire stock in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. "The authorities' investigation concerns a limited number of reports and one specific product in the east of the Netherlands," Patrick Tax, marketing head for Haribo Netherlands and Belgium, told domestic media in Belgium. The withdrawal only concerns Haribo's 1-kilogram bags of Happy Cola Fizz with an expiry date until January 2026 and production code L341-4002307906. It is not clear which Belgian shops were selling these large packs. Van de Voorde added that this is the only product for which the agency has received information, meaning no other products are currently deemed a risk. Instead of returning it to the store where they purchased it, consumers are asked to send the product to the Belgian head office. Affected consumers should provide their details and bank account number to receive a refund.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'New era' for German army as permanent brigade launched in Lithuania
The German military entered what Chancellor Friedrich Merz described as a "new era" on Thursday, with the launching of its first large unit stationed permanently in another country. Merz and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda both attended the roll-call ceremony for the new armoured brigade in the centre of the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. The deployment came in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, as part of efforts to strengthen the eastern flank of the NATO military alliance. About 800 German troops were on parade on Cathedral Square in Vilnius. The brigade receive its colours, and a Lithuanian and German flash, or badge. Merz said at the ceremony that "Lithuania has asked for support – and Germany stands ready." "Anyone who challenges NATO must know that we are prepared," said Merz. "Anyone who threatens an ally must know that the entire alliance will jointly defend every inch of NATO territory." "This gathering is a sign of our solidarity and our friendship, for which I'm all the more grateful in view of the suffering that National Socialist [Nazi] Germany brought to this country." For the German army, this was "a step into a new era," Merz said. "Never before have we permanently stationed a large military unit abroad." Nausėda described it as a "historic moment" for both countries. "It is also a landmark event for the security architecture of NATO and the whole of Europe." "My country is ready to play its part. Next year we will reach 5% of GDP for defence," he said, signing up to the higher spending target demanded by US President Donald Trump. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, who also attended the roll-call ceremony, said that "deterrence and defence are Germany's top priorities." "We cannot and will not look away. Without security there is no freedom, without security there is no sovereignty," he said. 'Indispensable' military presence The brigade named "Lithuania" is to be fully operational by 2027. The aim is for a permanent presence of up to 5,000 troops, with their headquarters to be at Rūdninkai near the Belarusian border. The barracks have yet to be built, and an exercise ground is also planned. Temporary accommodation for the brigade is to be in barracks near Vilnius. Addressing the German troops directly during the roll-call ceremony, Merz said: "Your job is not easy ... it requires discipline and it involves risks. But it is indispensable." The reinforcement of NATO's eastern flank with German troops would help defend the military alliance against "any aggression," Merz told reporters earlier alongside Nausėda. "The security situation here in the Baltic States remains very tense," said Merz.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lithuanians bid farewell to 4 US troops who died in training accident
VILNIUS, Lithuania — Lithuania's political and religious leaders joined thousands of people on Thursday to bid farewell to four American soldiers who died during a training exercise in the Baltic nation. President Gitanas Nausėda and other dignitaries were among those who stood in respect as hearses carried the bodies of the four young Americans to Vilnius airport before being flown to the United States for burial. Many of the onlookers were in tears, and Nausėda said that the reaction of the population and the military to the disappearance of soldiers was rooted in Lithuania's own difficult history. 'For us, it is more than a duty, it is an emotion. We have experienced trials in our history and therefore we understand well what loss is, what death is, what honorable duty is,' Nausėda said in a speech to those gathered. Army identifies final soldier found deceased in Lithuania peat bog Schoolchildren accompanied by teachers waved Lithuanian and U.S. flags to honor the soldiers, who died in an accident along NATO's eastern flank, a region that is on edge due to Russia's aggression in nearby Ukraine. Leading one group was Justin Boyd, the secondary school principal of the American International School in Vilnius, who said his group was there 'to honor the fallen soldiers from the United States and to honor the relationship between Lithuania and America and the defensive pact that represents.' 'It's important for us to give dignity to the fallen and to let the families know that we are with them and we support them in this time,' Boyd said. The soldiers, part of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, were on a tactical training exercise when they and their vehicle went missing a week ago, the Army said. Lithuanian, Polish and U.S. soldiers and rescuers searched through the forests and swamps at the Gen. Silvestras Žukauskas training ground in the town of Pabradė, 6 miles west of the border with Belarus. The M88 Hercules armored vehicle was pulled from a peat bog Monday and the final body was recovered Tuesday. 'I feel sorry for these young men,' said one mourner from the town of Pabradė as he watched the hearses make their way towards the airport. 'I live nearby, and I know that swamp. Dangerous places for anyone who enters that area.' The U.S. Army has identified the soldiers as Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins, 28, of Battle Creek, Michigan; Staff Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr., 25, of Joliet, Illinois; Staff Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, 25, of Glendale, California; and Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, of Dededo, Guam. About 3,500 soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team deployed in January to Poland and the Baltic states for a nine-month rotation as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, which supports NATO allies and partners following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. AP Video reporter Siarhei Satsiuk contributed reporting.
Euronews
01-04-2025
- Euronews
Fourth US soldier missing in Lithuania swamp found dead, President Nausėda says
ADVERTISEMENT The fourth US solider who went missing in Lithuania last Tuesday has been confirmed dead. Lithuania's President Gitanas Nausėda made the announcement in a post on X, saying "our heartfelt condolences go to our US allies and their people." "Lithuania has been praying for all four missing soldiers, and now, with all our hearts, we stand with their families," Nausėda said. "We are deeply grateful to everyone who dedicated immense efforts to find the one remaining soldier still missing under such challenging conditions." The announcement comes after three of the four missing service personnel were found dead on Monday after their armoured vehicle was pulled from a swampy area. The first three bodies were recovered after a massive six-day effort by US, Polish and Lithuanian armed forces and authorities to dig the M88 Hercules vehicle out of a peat bog at the expansive "General Silvestras Žukauskas" training ground in the town of Pabradė. Recovery efforts continue for four missing US soldiers near the spot where their Hercules vehicle was found submerged at a training range in Pabradė, 28 March, 2025 AP Photo The soldiers had been on a tactical training exercise when they and their vehicle were reported missing early on Tuesday, the US Army said. The command in a statement said the identities of the 1st Armoured Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division soldiers were being withheld pending family notifications. "We stand in grief with the families and loved ones of these extraordinary 'Dogface Soldiers' during this unimaginable time," said Major General Christopher Norrie, 3rd Infantry Division commander. Hundreds of Lithuanian and US soldiers and rescuers took part in the search through the thick forests and swampy terrain around Pabradė, 10 kilometres west of the border with Belarus. The armoured Hercules vehicle was discovered on Wednesday submerged in 4.5 metres of water. Lithuanian armed forces provided military helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial systems and search and rescue personnel. They brought in additional excavators, sluice and slurry pumps, other heavy construction equipment, technical experts and several hundred tons of gravel and earth to help the recovery. US Navy divers were able to manoeuvre through thick layers of mud, clay and sediment "with zero visibility" to reach the 63-tonne vehicle on Sunday evening and find two points to attach steel cables, according to the command. German Army soldiers light candles in memory of three soldiers found dead on Monday at a training range in Pabradė, 1 April, 2025 AP Photo The command said that during the effort to pull the vehicle out of the bog, it began to lose traction, so additional heavy dozers were brought in and attached to provide additional grip. ADVERTISEMENT The vehicle was pulled free after about two hours, the command said. The US Army and Lithuanian authorities are currently investigating what led to the Hercules sinking into the swamp.
