Societal togetherness
In times of crisis, Lithuanians act – together. They’ve shown it by rallying around Ukraine, from welcoming refugees to crowdfunding military and humanitarian support. The country as a whole is building towards a ‘total defence’ model in which the whole of society, not just the military, is prepared. That confidence shows in the numbers: Lithuania has posted net positive migration for six years running, driven in large part by returning Lithuanians, along with some of the highest euro-optimism on the continent.
Unanimous and unified support for Ukraine
Lithuania has welcomed multiple waves of Ukrainian refugees under temporary protection. It has also provided Ukraine with €1.7 billion in aid so far, including €800 million in defence support. This amounts to 2% of the country’s GDP – the third-highest share among partner countries.
State support has been bolstered by a number of successful crowdfunding initiatives, illustrating Lithuanians’ proud support for embattled Ukraine. One of the first campaigns, in 2022, raised €5.8 million in three days to buy a Bayraktar attack drone, with donations from hundreds of thousands of people, most giving under €200. Another campaign a year later raised €14 million for air defence radars.
Total defence in practice
In Lithuania, defence is not only a priority for the military. Every part of society is involved in the country’s ‘total defence’ model, from civilian organisations to local government, with the volunteer Riflemen’s Union at its centre.
The Union’s adult membership has more than doubled since 2020, a rise its own annual report attributes directly to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Members train as riflemen, but the Union also takes in volunteers with IT, medical and logistics skills, so that people without a military role at the outset still have a defined one if it’s ever needed.
Confidence in the future
Lithuania has recorded net positive migration for six years running. A big part of this trend is driven by Lithuanian emigrants coming home, most of them from the UK, Norway, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands – a sign of the trust many have in their homeland’s future and prosperity.
Confidence in the EU runs just as high. Lithuanians are among the biggest euro-optimists: according to the latest Eurobarometer data, 66% say they trust EU institutions, against an EU average of 48%, and 71% say they’re optimistic about the bloc’s future – among the strongest results of any member state.