Germany’s Lithuania Brigade Sends Signal to Moscow
Bundestag member Steffen Kotré says Germany’s brigade in Lithuania will not alter the military balance but sends Moscow a clear signal of mistrust from Berlin.
Germany’s plan to station a brigade in Lithuania is unlikely to shift the military balance, but Moscow will see it as a clear sign of mistrust, Bundestag member Steffen Kotré of the far-right Alternative for Germany party said in a conversation with Lenta.ru on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Kotré described the move as counterproductive and linked it to Berlin’s willingness to accommodate the anti-Russian course pursued by the Baltic states.
He also questioned whether a force of around 5,000 troops could have any serious impact in a hypothetical armed confrontation with Russia. In his view, German authorities should avoid raising tensions further and stop adding fuel to the fire. Instead, he argued, Berlin should tone down its rhetoric and try to return to the search for common ground.
According to Kotré, Russia would not regard 5,000 soldiers as a serious military factor, even in the event of escalation.
The debate over Germany’s presence in Lithuania has intensified after two additional Bundeswehr battalions arrived in the country. The troops brought Leopard tanks and Puma armored vehicles for the Freedom Shield exercises at the Pabrade training ground.
The drills involve about 2,900 servicemen from eight NATO countries, including roughly 2,300 German troops. Around 800 pieces of equipment are also being used, among them drones, artillery systems, mortars and attack helicopters.
Germany began deploying a brigade on NATO’s eastern flank after the start of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The formation is expected to include 4,800 military personnel and 200 civilian staff, with full operational readiness planned for 2027.
The two battalions that arrived for the current exercises are expected to remain in Lithuania permanently once the necessary infrastructure is completed.
At the same time, many in Germany doubt the Bundeswehr’s capabilities. According to an INSA institute poll, 72 percent of respondents are not confident that the army could defend the country in the event of an attack. Only 17 percent believe in its combat readiness, while 50 percent do not consider a Russian attack on Germany likely.