EXCLUSIVE: Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė’s childhood under Soviet rule meant Christmas was forbidden. Her mother’s crime? Being born in a Siberian prison camp after her teenage brother was caught distributing leaflets advocating for Lithuanian freedom. This history fuels Lithuanian wariness of Russia and close monitoring of the Kremlin.

Šakalienė stated in a Friday interview at the Lithuanian Embassy in Washington that the only effective diplomacy with Russia, echoing Al Capone, is negotiation backed by force.

When asked about trusting Putin, the defense minister, who once studied in New Mexico, questioned the possibility, citing Russia’s historical actions against her family and Lithuania.

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has lasted over three years. has been in direct talks with Russia to end the war since returning to office.

Šakalienė asserted that Russia has historically broken agreements. She expressed hope that President Donald Trump’s firm stance might be the only thing keeping Putin in check.

Lithuania, a country of 2.8 million people bordering Russia (Kaliningrad) for 184 miles and Belarus for 420 miles, cannot ignore Russia’s presence. She described Belarus as a platform for the Russian army.

According to her, Russia is attempting to intimidate and create insecurity among Lithuanians.

Lithuania is increasing its defense spending due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and aims to exceed Trump’s demand for NATO allies to spend 5% of GDP on defense, targeting 6% by next year, compared to the U.S.’s current 3.4%.

Last month, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also urged to increase defense spending, stating that the U.S. would no longer tolerate an imbalanced relationship that encourages dependency during a NATO meeting in Brussels.

Šakalienė, present at the Brussels meeting, supported Hegseth’s remarks, describing them as a harsh awakening.

She noted the shock and stress on her colleagues’ faces and emphasized that the previous 2% GDP target was no longer relevant.

When questioned about Western Europe’s delayed increase in defense spending after Russia’s seizure of 20% , Šakalienė attributed it to a widespread illusion of an idealistic world that never existed.

She explained that part of the illusion was the belief that wars were over, a notion Russia never shared.

“The non-democratic part of the world has not changed. They are actually playing by their rules. So if they are not playing by our rules, our blindness is what put us in this dangerous position.”

Šakalienė is the only NATO defense minister sanctioned by China. Her explanation for Beijing’s support of Russia might surprise some.

She stated that Russia’s efficient military production is due to Chinese support and that a war of attrition benefits both, with a weaker Russia being more advantageous to China, even as China supplies Russia and witnesses Russia’s losses.

Despite significant losses in Ukraine, Russia maintains an army of 1.5 million soldiers, according to Šakalienė, who warned that Putin harbors further expansionist ambitions.

During the interview at the Lithuanian Embassy on Friday, Trump was working to secure a mineral rights agreement with Ukraine and hoped to eventually negotiate a ceasefire with Russia.

“If Russia violates the ceasefire, the response must be immediate and violent,” Šakalienė urged.

Asked about a report suggesting Trump might not defend NATO allies not meeting defense spending targets, Šakalienė supported Trump’s strong stance as justified, albeit “painful,” emphasizing that burden sharing is essential for a strong alliance.

She highlighted the Baltic States and Poland as leading NATO members in defense spending as a percentage of GDP.

Last year, , of which Lithuania is a member, spent more on Russian oil and gas than aid to Ukraine. Šakalienė stated that Lithuania was the first to cut off Russian energy supplies, even supporting Latvia and Poland, as energy independence from Russia is a matter of survival.

Lithuania’s first LNG terminal was named “Independence,” according to Frank Fannon, former assistant secretary of state for energy resources under Trump.

During the embassy interview, Lithuania had just announced its withdrawal from the convention on cluster munitions, an international agreement banning cluster bombs. Šakalienė explained the decision.

“We want to be ready to use anything and everything necessary to protect our borders. We don’t want Russians to come to our homes again. We want to send a strategic message, a very clear message, that we will do anything to protect ourselves.”

Lithuania, along with other European nations, also plans to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, which bans anti-personnel land mines.

“This is a terrible weapon, just like cluster munitions, but the Russians are using the weapons, including forbidden weapons. So we want to send the message back,” she said.

Besides Russia, China and are also not parties to the agreement. In 2014, the United States announced it would abide by the Ottawa Convention, except for landmines already deployed on the Korean Peninsula.

Šakalienė, a devout Christian, believes Russia is attacking not only Ukraine but also the Christian faith.

“It was Soviet Russia that tried to annihilate the church in Ukraine, in Lithuania, in Poland. They have now sort of revived their Christianity and are using it for KGB infiltration, for FSB infiltration, she said. “This is a betrayal.”

She added, “When we see how churches in Ukraine are being bombed, being robbed…the in Ukraine is being murdered and their beautiful heritage is being destroyed.”

The Lithuanian defense minister concluded with a warning.

“We tend to try to diminish our enemies. This is a mistake. You have to see them for what they are.”