risk of escalation with Russia? Moscow’s response

The announced deployment of German soldiers begins today, April 8th Lithuania. The news is reported by German Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius: «It is an important day for the Bundeswehr. This is the first time we have permanently deployed a unit of this type outside the Germany», he declared during a ceremony on the occasion of the departure of a first detachment made up of around twenty soldiers, who will then be joined by the others starting in the next few months.

From Poland to Estonia, from Latvia to Denmark: the military plan to respond to the Russian threat to NATO

Lithuania, the German soldiers arrive

After the Russian attack onUkraine, the German government has committed to deploying a combat-ready unit with independent capabilities to Lithuania. The brigade is expected to be operational by 2027. A permanent presence of around 4,800 Bundeswehr soldiers and around 200 Bundeswehr civilians is expected, who will be able to bring their families with them.

The first detachment left for the Baltic country today together with the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Alfons Mais. In Vilnius, the first members of the brigade will be received by the Lithuanian Minister of Defense Laurynas Kasciunas. This initial command is expected to grow to a strength of around 150 units by the fourth quarter of 2024. The other units will begin to deploy after the brigade – which will be named Panzerbrigade 45 – officially enters service in 2025.

Kremlin: «Deployment a source of tension»

The response was not long in coming Russia. The Kremlin views the stationing of German soldiers in Lithuania “negatively” and considers it “the continuation of an escalation of tensions that creates hotbeds of danger” for Russia “on the border” requiring “the adoption of special “security” measures». This was stated by Putin’s spokesman, Dmitri Peskov, quoted by the Interfax agency.

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