Germany bolsters NATO's eastern flank with new brigade in Lithuania

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has travelled to Lithuania to formally inaugurate a German brigade stationed there to bolster NATO's eastern flank.
Merz was welcomed on Thursday by Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys.
The 45th Armoured Brigade's inauguration is set to take place in Vilnius' central square, and more than 1,000 Lithuanian and German troops are expected to attend.
This new unit, which consists of 4,800 troops and 200 civilian personnel, aims to strengthen NATO's presence in the region in light of Russia's threat.
The stationing of German troops in Lithuania is hoped to discourage potential Russian aggression and provide added protection to the Baltic states.
The brigade, which will include infantry and tank battalions, should be fully operational by 2027, according to Lithuania. Around 700 German military personnel are already serving there.
The unit's posting abroad is part of a German security policy initiative known as the 'Zeitenwende' (Turning Point), which former Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced at the outbreak of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.
Although Germany has in recent decades participated in worldwide military operations, this move marks Germany's most significant military deployment since World War II.
Merz's first visit to Lithuania as chancellor also includes a meeting with President Gitanas Nausėda.
Their talks are expected to cover Lithuanian-German bilateral relations, defence cooperation, support for Ukraine and key issues on the EU's agenda.

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