Lithuanian election winners pledge big defence spending
The Guardian|October 29, 2024
Lithuania's opposition Social Democratic party has promised to spend "as much money as is needed" on security and defence to counter a potential threat from Russia after finishing a comfortable first in Sunday's parliamentary elections.
Jon Henley

"Our election manifesto says it should be not less than 3.5% [of gross domestic product (GDP)], and this is unavoidable," the Social Democrat leader and MEP, Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, said yesterday.

Lithuania, which shares a 179-mile border with Russia, has been one of the EU's strongest supporters of Kyiv and one of the fiercest critics of Moscow under the Baltic state's outgoing conservative-led government. Blinkevičiūtė promised that that would not change after her centre-left party won 52 seats in the 141-member parliament.

Polls show as many as three-quarters of Lithuania's 2.8 million people believe the country could be the target of a Russian invasion in the near future. Lithuania is already among the top Nato spenders, allocating about 3% of GDP to defence.

According to the Kiel Institute, a German thinktank, Lithuania is also among the top three countries that provide aid to Ukraine as a proportion of GDP.

Denne historien er fra October 29, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra October 29, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE GUARDIANSe alt
Amorim rewarded for keeping faith with his eternal optimist
The Guardian

Amorim rewarded for keeping faith with his eternal optimist

This was a thrilling, bruising game, and even a very funny one at times.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 06, 2025
Amorim's winter warmer
The Guardian

Amorim's winter warmer

United manager hails side's mentality in thrilling draw

time-read
3 mins  |
January 06, 2025
Referee 'not at Premier League level', says Silva
The Guardian

Referee 'not at Premier League level', says Silva

A frustrated Marco Silva, the Fulham manager, described the performance of Darren Bond, the referee, as \"not at Premier League level\" after he opted not to dismiss the Ipswich defender Leif Davis during the sides' 2-2 draw.

time-read
1 min  |
January 06, 2025
Diallo grabs vital point as United step up at Anfield
The Guardian

Diallo grabs vital point as United step up at Anfield

An evening of some redemption for Manchester United was not without its customary slice of Anfield agony. Thirty seconds remained of a gripping battle when Joshua Zirkzee spurned the chance of hero status among fans who jeered him six days earlier to present Harry Maguire with a clear sight of Alisson's goal.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 06, 2025
Fulham toil against strugglers again as Jiménez rescues point
The Guardian

Fulham toil against strugglers again as Jiménez rescues point

Imagine where Fulham would be if they could see off the strugglers. They averted a rare defeat when Raúl Jiménez converted his second penalty of the afternoon at the start of added time but never did enough to overcome a well-drilled Ipswich.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 06, 2025
Isidor proves worth to keep nervy Black Cats in the leading pack
The Guardian

Isidor proves worth to keep nervy Black Cats in the leading pack

Before kick-off Portsmouth's manager, John Mousinho, suggested all the pressure would be on Sunderland, leaving his players free to relax, improvise and unlock their inner creativity.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 06, 2025
Australia make hay in Bumrah's absence to clinch series win
The Guardian

Australia make hay in Bumrah's absence to clinch series win

Boland skittles India to set up World Test Championship final against South Africa

time-read
3 mins  |
January 06, 2025
Gauff turns tables on Swiatek before Fritz seals trophy for US
The Guardian

Gauff turns tables on Swiatek before Fritz seals trophy for US

Americans defeat Poland to secure United Cup glory as Sabalenka wins Brisbane title

time-read
3 mins  |
January 06, 2025
Rybakina speaks out in defence of suspended coach Vukov
The Guardian

Rybakina speaks out in defence of suspended coach Vukov

Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has insisted that her former coach Stefano Vukov did not mistreat her during their coaching partnership after it was revealed that Vukov is under investigation by the Women's Tennis Association.

time-read
1 min  |
January 06, 2025
Rangers drop points on road again despite Igamane treble
The Guardian

Rangers drop points on road again despite Igamane treble

Hamza Igamane's hat-trick was not enough to secure victory for Rangers as Rocky Bushiri's late header earned a dramatic 3-3 draw for in-form Hibernian at Easter Road.

time-read
1 min  |
January 06, 2025