Nauseda: Lithuania must increase defense funding to 3.5% of GDP

Lithuania must increase military spending to 3.5% of its gross domestic product (GDP) to strengthen its security, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said in an interview with the Delfi portal, Report informs.

"We need to strive to reach the 3.5% level in 2025. If we fail to do so by that date, defense spending should be maintained at 3%, between 3% and 3.5% of GDP," he noted.

The Lithuanian president added that these funds should not be assessed as expenses, but as necessary investments in security.

"I am inclined to call them that," Nausėda said.