Lithuania plans to increase defense spending to deter potential threats from Russia after US President-elect Donald Trump urged European allies to boost funds for the military.  Trump has threatened to abandon NATO and demanded members of the military alliance more than double the current target for defense expenditure to the equivalent of 5% of economic output.

Lithuania’s president says his country has made the decision to raise its spending on defense to between 5% and 6% of overall national economic output starting in 2026

Difficult times require bold decisions [and] leadership. We call on our allies to follow this lead,” says Baltic nation’s Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys.

The Baltic nation's announcement comes weeks after US President-elect Donald Trump said NATO allies should spend at least 5% of GDP on defence. #EuropeNews

Lithuania plans to increase its defence spending to 5-6% of its national economic output by 2026, becoming the first NATO nation to meet this target. The move, announced by President Gitanas Nauseda,

Lithuania has decided to raise its spending on defense to between 5 and 6% of overall national economic output starting in 2026 due to the threat of Russian aggression in the region, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said Friday.

Lithuania has decided to raise its spending on defense to between 5% and 6% of overall national economic output starting in 2026 due to the threat of Russian ag

Lithuania's president says his country has made the decision to raise its spending on defense to between 5 and 6% of overall national economic output starting in 2026. The Baltic