Ankara: Lithuania's permanent representative to NATO, Darius Jauniskis, expressed a pessimistic outlook among the Baltic states regarding the potential for effective dialogue with Moscow. This sentiment stems from Russian President Vladimir Putin's steadfast position on Ukraine, which remains a significant point of contention.

According to Anadolu Agency, Jauniskis conveyed in an interview in Ankara that the Baltic countries are skeptical about the prospects of any productive discussions with Moscow. He emphasized that Putin's current behavior and stance indicate a reluctance to compromise on Ukraine or other key issues. Jauniskis stated, "We see Putin's behavior and his stance, because he doesn't look like he will ever give up on Ukraine or on other issues."

Despite the challenging diplomatic climate, Jauniskis maintains faith in diplomatic efforts, acknowledging that progress is contingent upon the Kremlin's willingness to engage. "Everything depends on the Kremlin," he noted. He asserted that while talks could be feasible if Moscow demonstrated readiness, Putin remains a significant obstacle. Nevertheless, Jauniskis advocated for continued diplomatic efforts, expressing hope that diplomacy will eventually succeed, although he currently sees little progress.

In discussions on defense spending among NATO allies, Jauniskis highlighted Lithuania's commitment to meeting defense spending targets. Many NATO countries have agreed to allocate 5% of their GDP to defense and security, transitioning the focus from commitment to implementation. Jauniskis proudly stated, "Lithuania, we don't have a problem with spending on the military," noting that the country allocates 5.4% of its GDP to defense.

Jauniskis encouraged other NATO allies to adopt a similar approach, emphasizing the importance of understanding the threats and directing resources appropriately. "There is no question for Lithuania," he concluded. "We know what the threat is and we know where to spend our money."