Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan Discusses European Security with Baltic Counterparts in Vilnius

High-Level Discussions on European Security

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a series of high-level meetings in Vilnius, Lithuania, on January 16, 2026, engaging with his Baltic counterparts to discuss critical issues concerning European security. The agenda primarily focused on the security implications arising from the ongoing Russian occupation of Ukraine and the vital role of NATO missions in the region.

Key Participants and Agenda Items

Minister Fidan participated in a four-way meeting with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, and Latvian Deputy Foreign Minister Artjoms Ursulskis. These discussions aimed at strengthening political dialogue, enhancing regional security, and fostering cooperation between Türkiye and the Baltic states. A significant portion of the talks was dedicated to the security of Baltic airspace under NATO missions, including the deployment of Turkish warfighters. Türkiye has committed to deploying warplanes to Estonia between August and November 2026, and to Romania from December 2026 to March 2027, as part of the Enhanced Air Policing mission.

Beyond the multilateral format, Minister Fidan also held several bilateral engagements:

• A separate meeting with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys to review bilateral ties and regional developments.
• Discussions with Lithuanian Deputy Parliament Speaker Rasa Budbergytė and a delegation of Lithuanian lawmakers, addressing Türkiye-European Union relations and parliamentary cooperation.
• A meeting with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen.
• An audience with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, where regional and global issues, including European security and cooperation between Türkiye and Lithuania, were discussed.

Focus on Ukraine and NATO Cooperation

The foreign ministers reviewed U.S.-led efforts to achieve a comprehensive agreement to end the war in Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of a strong package of security guarantees for Ukraine. Minister Fidan reiterated Türkiye's active engagement in seeking an end to the conflict and re-establishing stability in the continent. He also highlighted Türkiye's intention to lead a naval force, to be established by volunteer countries, for the security of the Black Sea after the war. The meetings underscored the continued importance Türkiye places on its partnerships within Northern Europe and the NATO alliance, with discussions also covering Euro-Atlantic security and ongoing international challenges.