Security is up in Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius.
The reason is the NATO summit that takes place there during the week.
1,000 soldiers have been sent from other EU countries, and a total of 12,000 people work with security.
The NATO summit in Vilnius means a strengthened security apparatus in and around the Lithuanian capital. Some of the world’s most powerful people gather for the meeting, which takes place just a few miles from the Belarusian border.
16 NATO countries have sent around 1,000 military personnel to Lithuania. They are also joined by German-controlled anti-aircraft systems deployed at Vilnius airport. Eight are aimed at the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, two more are aimed at Belarus.
Belarus in particular is an important ally for Russia, and on the border between them and Lithuania, security has been greatly strengthened.
– The situation is very tense due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, so security is already at a very high level. That’s why we plan extra security measures. An increased presence of our allies is an important part of these measures, says Rustamas Liubajevas, Commander of the Lithuanian Border Guard.
The meeting takes place at a conference facility in western Vilnius and security will be handled by a total of 12,000 people. Lithuania has also introduced temporary border controls against other EU countries.