Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene announced her resignation on Wednesday, citing irreconcilable differences with Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene over the country’s defense policy and budget priorities.
In a statement shared on social media, Sakaliene said she submitted her resignation earlier in the day. “A month ago, I still had hope that the Prime Minister and I could work together, but unfortunately, that is no longer possible. We have fundamentally different understandings of how to strengthen defense,” she wrote.
Sakaliene argued that Lithuania’s defense spending should reach at least 5.5 percent of GDP next year, stressing that the government’s draft budget allocates less than needed for the Defense Ministry. She added that the ministry would have to cancel some planned procurements, calling such compromises unacceptable given the current geopolitical situation.
The minister criticized past governments and finance ministers for yielding to pressure and cutting defense budgets, and said that military leadership had often failed to resist such decisions. She emphasized that Lithuania must continue to accelerate arms and equipment acquisitions to maintain readiness.
Local media reported that Prime Minister Ruginiene had already informed President Gitanas Nausėda of her decision to dismiss Sakaliene earlier in the day, following a breakdown of trust between the two officials.
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Lithuanian PM moves to dismiss Defense Minister over budget dispute
