On July 6, 2025, during Lithuania's National Day celebrations in Vilnius, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier reaffirmed Germany's commitment to supporting Lithuania's defense.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda hailed the presence of the German brigade as a powerful signal of European solidarity, expressing gratitude for Germany's determination to stand with Lithuania at the European border.

This deployment is part of a broader strategy to strengthen NATO's eastern flank against potential threats from Russia.

Steinmeier announced plans to visit the German Panzer Brigade 45, which is preparing for a permanent deployment of around 5,000 soldiers in Lithuania by 2027 to enhance security against Russian threats.

The heightened presence of the brigade has been a response to security concerns in the Baltic States, particularly following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

In his speech, Steinmeier emphasized that freedom and peace are not guaranteed and require continuous effort, stating, 'Freedom is not a state, but a task.'

He noted that the people of Lithuania understand the ongoing challenges to freedom and peace.

During his two-day visit to Lithuania, Steinmeier is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas and lay wreaths at memorials honoring independence struggles and Holocaust victims before heading to Latvia.