NATO has turned Vilnius into a fortress defended by advanced weaponry to protect U.S. President Joe Biden and other alliance leaders meeting next week only 32 kilometers from Lithuania's razor-wire topped border fence with Russian ally Belarus. Lithuania also borders Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave. Sixteen NATO allies have sent a total of about 1,000 troops to safeguard the July 11-12 summit. Many are also providing advanced air defense systems that the Baltic states lack. "It would be more than irresponsible to have our sky unprotected as Biden and leaders of 40 countries are arriving," Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said. To read the original story by Reuters, click here.
Editors' Picks
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
