The threat of Russia hangs over us all. Anyone who challenges NATO should know that we are ready to defend every inch of the Alliance’s territory. The defense of Vilnius is the defense of Berlin, — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Merz took part in a military ceremony in Vilnius marking the establishment of the German brigade in Lithuania. The armored brigade “Lithuania” is Germany’s first permanent foreign military formation since World War II, according to BBC News.

“The threat of Russia hangs over us all. We are defending ourselves against this threat, and that is why we are here.

Russian aggressive revisionism threatens not only Ukraine’s security and territorial integrity — it threatens our common security in Europe.

Together with our partners, we are determined to defend Alliance territory from any aggression. The security of our allies in the Baltics is also our security.

To the people of Lithuania: you can rely on us, you can trust Germany.

Anyone who challenges NATO should know that we are ready.

Anyone who threatens an Ally should know that the entire Alliance will defend every inch of NATO territory.

NATO can count on Germany.

We understand that security does not begin at our borders — it begins where our allies and partners must defend. That is why the security of Lithuania is our security. The protection of Vilnius is the protection of Berlin.

And our common freedom does not end at the geopolitical line — it ends where we stop defending it,” Merz said, as quoted by Reuters and AFP.