Lithuania is prepared to “fight back” if it is attacked, but the country also has evacuation plans as it faces what Prime Minister Sinkevičius described as a continuing threat from Moscow.
Speaking to BBC Newsnight, Sinkevičius said Lithuanians feel “constantly threatened” by Russia. His comments highlighted both the country’s determination to respond to any attack and the preparations in place should civilians need to be evacuated.
The prime minister’s remarks came amid concerns over the security threat posed by Moscow. He did not suggest that an attack was under way, but said Lithuania was prepared for the possibility of having to defend itself.
Alongside plans to fight back, Lithuania has made preparations for evacuation. The available information does not provide further details about how those plans would operate or identify what circumstances would trigger them.
Sinkevičius’s comments indicate that Lithuania is balancing public preparedness for a potential conflict with contingency planning for the safety of its population. At this time, the country’s stated position is that it is ready to defend itself if attacked, while maintaining evacuation plans in response to the perceived threat from Russia.
