NATO and European Union member Lithuania borders Russia and Moscow's ally, Belarus. The letter from Lithuania's foreign and defence ministers to NATO General Secretary Mark Rutte said the alliance must show it is ready to defend "every centimetre of its territory".

He confirmed that he and Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė had appealed directly to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, requesting “immediate measures to enhance air defence capabilities in Lithuania and accelerate the full implementation of the rotational air defence model.”

Lithuania formally asked NATO to increase its air defense capabilities to protect European countries. The request comes after a Russian drone carrying explosives entered the country’s airspace last week.