Under Soviet rule, Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė was prohibited from celebrating Christmas, given her mother was born in a Siberian prison camp. Šakalienė, whose family suffered due to Russia’s oppression, is skeptical of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s trustworthiness, likening effective diplomacy with Russia to the negotiation tactics of Al Capone, underscoring the necessity of strength in dealing with the nation. She champions increased defense spending in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and criticizes the West’s past neglect in bolstering defense capabilities, attributing it to an wishful thinking about the end of wars. Šakalienė also points out that China’s support for Russia is self-serving, benefiting from a weakened Russia to further its interests. She emphasizes the importance of collective defense efforts within NATO and her commitment to protecting Lithuania from any potential threats, including support for withdrawals from international treaties on cluster munitions and anti-personnel landmines, reflecting actions aimed to ensure readiness and a strong stance against military aggression.

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/world/lithuanian-defense-minister-only-way-negotiate-russia-gun-table