Lithuania to boost defense spending, citing threat from Russia

VILNIUS, Lithuania: Lithuania plans to dramatically increase defense spending to 5-6 percent of its GDP by 2026, citing the persistent threat of Russian aggression, President Gitanas Nauseda announced on January 17.

The move would make Lithuania the first NATO nation to commit to a 5 percent defense spending target advocated by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

"The possibility of Russian military aggres