“In January, we signed a plan outlining the deployment of the German brigade here and our readiness. The gist of the plan is that [brigādes izvietošana notiks]as soon as we are ready,” the general told reporters in Nemenchyne on the outskirts of Vilnius.
Rupšis added that options for moving the brigade without completing all the necessary infrastructure are being evaluated.
“We have to work with purpose and responsibility to ensure that they can come here. And of course I’ll be very open and say that we’re talking and looking at options in case there’s any infrastructure that’s not done yet and coordinating temporary placement options to could implement this relocation plan,” he said at a joint press conference with Ruprecht von Butler, commander of the German 10th Armored Division, during the Bundeswehr’s large-scale “Grand Quadriga 2024” exercise in Lithuania.
Nausėda recently said that the tense geopolitical situation in the region requires a faster deployment of the German brigade.
“I am pleased with the progress of the deployment of the brigade, but our strategic security environment requires an even faster pace. We do not have the luxury of losing a moment,” he told reporters on Monday.
“Grand Quadriga 2024” will continue until the end of May. More than 3,000 German soldiers with 200 technical units, including “Leopard” tanks, “Puma” and “Boxer” armored personnel carriers are participating in the training.
The Lithuanian Armed Forces have informed that the exercises focus on the transfer of two divisions from Central and Eastern Europe. Lithuanian units, together with German units, plan and carry out training operations, as well as provide host country support.
Berlin plans to deploy a brigade in Lithuania until 2027. Germany has previously said that the pace of its deployment will depend on Lithuania’s readiness to create the necessary conditions for the reception of soldiers and their families.
Discussions about the deployment of the German brigade in Lithuania began after Russia’s repeated invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Berlin announced specific commitments in June 2023.
The initial commanding element of the brigade – about 20 military personnel – arrived in Lithuania at the beginning of April.
