Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda delivered his annual address at the Seimas on June 16, 2026, highlighting heightened security concerns and hybrid warfare challenges facing Lithuania. He referenced a recent air raid alert used to test civil protection and shelter infrastructure, emphasizing the new dangerous global context where peace can no longer be taken for granted. Nausėda stressed the reality of a hybrid war against Lithuania ongoing for over a decade, referencing irregular migration, smuggling balloons, terrorism, and sabotage as hostile acts. He called for enhanced defense measures, including the deployment of a full German armored brigade by 2027, improved infrastructure for U.S. and allied troops, effective air defense against drones, modern weapons production within Lithuania, a national division, a well-trained reserve, and robust civil protection systems. Nausėda expressed doubts about some politicians' readiness to defend Lithuania firmly. He praised Lithuania's defense budget at 5.38% of GDP and allies such as Poland, Germany, and the United States for security cooperation, and mentioned bilateral infrastructure and military projects with Poland. The president also addressed governance controversies, such as the delayed public response to a Centre of Registers data breach, political corruption scandals involving former ministers and a former prime minister, and divisive reforms in public broadcaster LRT that led to public protests. He criticized uncontrolled immigration policies, supported stricter migration controls and return migration incentives, and recounted political efforts to protect Lithuania's Energy Ministry from the Nemunas Dawn party, which was later assigned the Culture Ministry, triggering public protests. Nausėda confirmed Mindaugas Sinkevičius as incoming Prime Minister, emphasizing a need for unified efforts to ensure Lithuania’s security and prosperity amid ongoing hybrid threats and political challenges.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda delivered his annual address at the Seimas on June 16, 2026, highlighting heightened security concerns and hybrid warfare challenges facing Lithuania. He referenced a recent air raid alert used to test civil protection and shelter infrastructure, emphasizing the new dangerous global context where peace can no longer be taken for granted. Nausėda stressed the reality of a hybrid war against Lithuania ongoing for over a decade, referencing irregular migration, smuggling balloons, terrorism, and sabotage as hostile acts. He called for enhanced defense measures, including the deployment of a full German armored brigade by 2027, improved infrastructure for U.S. and allied troops, effective air defense against drones, modern weapons production within Lithuania, a national division, a well-trained reserve, and robust civil protection systems. Nausėda expressed doubts about some politicians' readiness to defend Lithuania firmly. He praised Lithuania's defense budget at 5.38% of GDP and allies such as Poland, Germany, and the United States for security cooperation, and mentioned bilateral infrastructure and military projects with Poland. The president also addressed governance controversies, such as the delayed public response to a Centre of Registers data breach, political corruption scandals involving former ministers and a former prime minister, and divisive reforms in public broadcaster LRT that led to public protests. He criticized uncontrolled immigration policies, supported stricter migration controls and return migration incentives, and recounted political efforts to protect Lithuania's Energy Ministry from the Nemunas Dawn party, which was later assigned the Culture Ministry, triggering public protests. Nausėda confirmed Mindaugas Sinkevičius as incoming Prime Minister, emphasizing a need for unified efforts to ensure Lithuania’s security and prosperity amid ongoing hybrid threats and political challenges.