Lithuanian Defense Minister: Europe May Have Only 2–3 Years to Prepare for War with Russia

Europe may not have three to five years to prepare for a potential threat from Russia — only two to three years, as the time for reflection is rapidly running out.

Lithuanian Minister of Defence Dovilė Šakalienė stated this during her speech at the Defence24 Days conference, as reported on-site by a Militarnyi’s correspondent.

She emphasized the critical need to accelerate defense integration and the development of the defense industry in the region.

According to her, although the new European security initiatives have potential, they are being implemented far too slowly.

“If the outcome [of the negotiations – ed.] is negative, if peace is reached poorly — especially if, for example, some sanctions on Russia are lifted — it means we may not have three to five years, but only two to three years to prepare,” Dovilė Šakalienė stated.

The Minister expressed concern that even three years after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Europe is still in the stage of creating defense instruments instead of actively using them.

“We need to develop small defense companies. Truly proactive joint initiatives are necessary. We need industrial-level cooperation — not just talk, but real, rapid production,” Dovilė Šakalienė shared.

The Minister warned that Russia may perceive Europe’s slowness as a sign of weakness, which poses a strategic threat. She emphasized the importance of not only real defense capability but also the ability to send the Kremlin a clear and firm signal.

She also stressed the danger of excessive regulation and political disagreements that hinder real progress.

“We must not turn defense instruments into a battleground for political disputes,” she stated.

She emphasized industrial cooperation between countries, calling it “indispensable” for effective procurement and implementing innovative technologies. She noted that everything produced in the coming years will immediately go to meet the needs of the armed forces.

She also called for “proactive joint initiatives,” emphasizing the need for genuine production cooperation, not just political declarations. According to her, every major defense company must produce “as quickly as possible.”