The president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Marcos Perestrello, said Russia bears full responsibility for recent combat drone incursions into NATO member states on the alliance’s eastern flank.
Addressing the opening plenary session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly's spring meeting in Vilnius on Monday, Perestrello said the incidents were a direct consequence of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine continues alongside its irresponsible behaviour and destabilisation campaigns across the Alliance. We have seen this most clearly in the recent drone incursions in Lithuania and, a few days ago, in Romania,” he said.
Last week, a Russian drone struck an apartment building in Romania. Drones have also recently entered the territories of the Baltic states.
Perestrello argued that responsibility lies with Moscow regardless of whether the incursions were deliberate, caused by military operations near NATO borders or resulted from other consequences of the war.
He added that the alliance's response must be based on solidarity, a strong commitment to collective defence and further reinforcement of NATO’s deterrence and defence posture, particularly along its eastern flank.
Looking ahead to NATO’s upcoming summit in Ankara, Perestrello identified four key priorities for the alliance: increasing defence spending and military capabilities, strengthening Europe’s role within NATO and ensuring a fairer sharing of responsibilities, improving societal resilience, and maintaining support for Ukraine.
“In a changing world, it is vital that NATO remains stronger than ever,” he said.
He also stressed the role of national parliaments in turning political commitments into practical capabilities.
“Declarations do not defend territory. Budgets do not approve themselves. Capabilities do not appear just because leaders announce them. This requires political courage, legislative action and public support,” Perestrello said.
"NATO is united. NATO is adapting. NATO will defend every inch of allied territory, and this assembly will help ensure that commitments turn into capabilities, solidarity into strength and resolve into action," he added.
The NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s spring session is being held at the Lithuanian parliament in Vilnius.
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