On the NATO Frontline: Dutch Diplomacy in Lithuania

Blog post | 19-06-2025 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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Security as part of daily life

In Lithuania, the threat is visible in everyday life. “Civilians are actively engaged in resilience,” Hannah explains. “There is a volunteer organisation, the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union, with 15,000 members that promotes civil preparedness. And there’s an app, LT72, where people can see where shelters are located and how to act in case of a crisis. On the streets, support for Ukraine is everywhere. The war feels very close.”

Fighting disinformation

Lithuania is a frontrunner in tackling cyber threats and disinformation. “The National Crisis Centre publishes weekly reports. For example, AI is used to detect patterns in disinformation campaigns. That information also reaches the public through the media,” Hannah says.

“Host countries of NATO summits are targets for hostile actors. These actors deliberately portray NATO in a negative light or try to derail the summit. They spread false or decontextualised information in a coordinated way. Lithuania experienced this when it hosted the NATO Summit in 2023. The same is expected to happen in the Netherlands.”

Regional cooperation across the Baltic

Hannah advises on political and military developments in Lithuania and the wider region. “As a smaller embassy, you carry a lot of responsibility. No week is the same. The work also extends beyond Lithuania.” She maintains close ties with partners and networks throughout the Baltics, as well as with the Embassies of the Netherlands in Poland, Finland and Sweden. “We exchange information on cyber threats, disinformation and hybrid attacks. The cooperation is close, and necessarily so.”

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Dutch presence

Dutch military personnel are also visibly present. “Around 350 Dutch soldiers are stationed in Lithuania as part of NATO’s forward presence. During working visits, we explain why they are here: to reinforce deterrence and support our allies.”

Learning from Lithuania

The embassy regularly receives visitors from the Netherlands. “There is strong interest in how Lithuania responds to threats. The organising team of the upcoming NATO Summit in the Netherlands wanted to learn from Lithuania’s experience hosting the 2023 summit, during which disinformation attacks took place. Lithuania responded quickly and effectively. That left an impression.”

Preparing for the worst-case scenario

In addition to her daily work, Hannah is a member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ POLAD pool of political advisers. She will soon take part in NATO’s major exercise Steadfast Deterrence in Norway.

“In a previous exercise in Germany, I played the role of adviser to a general during a simulated conflict scenario. These exercises aren’t just about military cooperation. They also test decision-making, communication and cultural differences between countries. Exercises like this show where things go well and where they don’t. That’s essential in times of crisis.”

Staying vigilant

Hannah has been in Lithuania for ten months now. How does she view the future? “It’s hard to predict. Lithuanians are concerned about possible escalation, and we hope things remain calm. What I can do is stay in close contact with my counterparts, build trust and strengthen ties between countries. That helps prevent escalation. Vigilance is essential.”

Cyber talent needed

What’s the biggest challenge going forward? “Cybersecurity. And attracting enough talent to secure it,” says Hannah. “Many experts choose the private sector, but we desperately need them in the public sphere. I hope more people choose a career where they can truly make a difference, especially in times of threat and uncertainty.”

Strengthening the Alliance

Hannah’s work covers a wide range of topics, from sanctions and economic developments to the defence industry and public diplomacy. “On King’s Day, the national holiday of the Netherlands, we hosted a special NATO Summit reception. We had a military vehicle on the residence grounds, a field kitchen serving pea soup, and of course, plenty of information about the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague.”