Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius has indicated that Russia is testing NATO’s collective defense by carrying out attacks that come very close to triggering the Alliance’s Article 5.Sinkevičius noted that the phrase that Russia is testing boundaries appears with increasing frequency in political discussions—and this does not concern only Lithuania, Latvia, or other countries on the eastern flank. Russia is testing how far it can go without crossing the threshold that would necessitate the activation of NATO’s collective defense.Referring to recent events in Europe, Sinkevičius pointed out that these pose serious challenges for the Alliance regarding the appropriate response. These are not classic, conventional attacks, nor are they direct and unambiguous border violations. Often, such acts are carried out by individuals hired specifically for the purpose, and investigations reveal that the party behind them is to be found in the East.Sinkevičius stated that he will continue close cooperation with his Polish counterparts to accelerate response times and improve communication in the event of future incidents. The most significant agreement reached is an arrangement for the heads of government to communicate directly with one another. He and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk have exchanged private contact details, ensuring that in the event of incidents or the receipt of critical information—including intelligence—they can communicate immediately, rather than waiting for the offices of the prime ministers to make contact.
Russia is testing the limits of Article 5
