Military mobility in Eastern Europe has become a critical factor that will determine the actual resilience of NATO's eastern flank, as emphasized by experts gathered today at the LTG Forum organized by the LTG Group. In order to find solutions necessary for strengthening military mobility in the region, the LTG Group, in cooperation with the Ministry of Transport and Communications, brought together high-ranking EU and NATO officials, ministers, and industry leaders in Vilnius, who openly stated that current capabilities are insufficient and that it is necessary not only to continue the work already begun, but also to implement changes that will ensure rapid and coordinated movement of forces throughout the region.

Speaking at the event about Lithuania's response to today's security challenges, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda emphasized the state's long-term commitment to strengthening defense and resilience.

"Having learned painful lessons from history, Lithuania is investing heavily in its security and defense. We must remove obstacles to military movement across national borders and adapt civil transport infrastructure for dual use by modernizing strategic roads, railways, bridges, and airfields. The European railway project Rail Baltica, connecting the Baltic countries with the rest of Europe, is an important part of these efforts and must therefore be securely financed in the next European Union budget through the Connecting Europe Facility," Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda emphasized at the LTG Forum.

Speaking about today's geopolitical challenges and the responsibility of NATO's eastern flank, Minister of Transport Juras Taminskas emphasized the strategic importance of railway integration and military mobility.

"We are living in a new geopolitical reality where infrastructure is becoming a security issue. We must complete the integration of the Baltic countries into the European rail network, strengthen road and rail connections, take advantage of strategic gateways, and remove bureaucratic obstacles that slow down the movement of forces. A comprehensive European approach to military mobility and a significant increase in funding in the next multiannual financial framework are essential if we want to ensure the rapid, safe, and reliable movement of forces and equipment throughout the Union," emphasized Minister of Transport Juras Taminskas at the LTG Forum.

A. Kubilius: if we want credible deterrence, we must finance credible mobility

European security today depends directly on our ability to quickly move forces and equipment where they are needed. As European Commissioner Andrius Kubilius emphasized in his speech at the LTG Forum, "without military mobility, there can be no credible deterrence." Different national rules, excessive bureaucracy, and infrastructure deficiencies mean that the movement of troops in Europe can take weeks or even months. "This will not deter Putin, it will invite him," warned Kubilius, stressing that peacetime rules and infrastructure are not adapted to crisis situations.

The Commissioner also stressed that rapid investment in logistics and transport networks is essential for long-term deterrence. "Railways are the backbone of reinforcement plans," he said, noting that it is railways that provide the necessary scale for rapid troop redeployment. The European Union is therefore proposing a unified military mobility system, simplified rules, and significantly increased funding for dual-use infrastructure in the next multiannual financial framework. "If we want credible deterrence, we must finance credible mobility," Kubilius said at the LTG Forum.

Lithuania plays an important role in the European security architecture

As LTG Group CEO Egidijus Lazauskas said at the event, in recent years LTG has been purposefully implementing projects that directly strengthen the mobility capabilities of both Lithuania and the wider region. The construction of Rail Baltica opens up a new strategic corridor for the movement of allies, while logistics centers and terminals are adapted to operate in both civil and military conditions. These works are not separate projects – they form a long-term infrastructure base that is becoming an important part of Europe's security architecture.

"Dual-purpose infrastructure is not just an investment direction today – it is a strategic choice that determines the resilience and economic future of our region. Every modernized road, railway section, or terminal must serve two purposes: to ensure security and to create added value for the state. Europe must move in this direction decisively and consistently, and we are ready to be among those who not only follow the changes but also initiate them," said E. Lazauskas.

As emphasized by the participants of the LTG Forum discussions, effective, fast, and standard-compliant rail connections are a key component of military logistics, but at the same time they open up new opportunities for trade, production, and investment. Representatives of EU institutions stressed the need to accelerate military mobility projects that would strengthen Eastern Europe's resilience and improve the logistical capacity of the entire Union. According to experts, the synergy between the defense industry and mobility could become a key driver of Europe's strategic strength, with economic value and security acting as inseparable partners.

Procedures become an obstacle

The expert discussions at the forum focused on infrastructure capacity, transport interoperability, and speed of decision-making—elements that become crucial in a real crisis scenario. Experts emphasized that the mobility chain is weakened not only by physical infrastructure constraints, but also by procedural barriers: permit coordination, cross-border coordination, and differences in standards. Therefore, it is necessary not only to modernize transport systems, but also to harmonize rules and simplify processes so that allied forces can move without unnecessary delays.

Experts also emphasized that the geopolitical challenges of recent years have changed the understanding of the pace of mobility. The movement of troops across borders must take place not in months, but in days or hours. This requires a clear command structure, quick decisions, and constant readiness of all units. Participants stressed that today it is necessary to plan as if a crisis could arise at any moment.

The discussions also included calls for more ambitious use of the region's existing capabilities. According to experts, the Baltic countries have a strong logistics base, but it still needs to be adapted to operate in crisis conditions. This means more backup routes, uniform standards, and tests based on realistic scenarios. Forum participants agree that if Europe wants to become more resilient, the mobility chain must be strengthened now.