DaliaBankauskaite

Senior Fellow at CEPA

[Colonel (ret) Ray Wojcik @wojcikrp]

HappyBirthday 4 February 1746, to Gen #TadeuszKościuszko Polish/American/ Lithuanian/Belarusian hero. 

Renowned for his Leadership and Engineering skill, few know Kościuszko leaves disposition of his American estate to his friend President #ThomasJefferson. Virulently anti-slavery, Kościuszko dedicates all to freeing and educating slaves in America.

General Kościuszko’s brilliant defensive plan is the key to delivering America’s stunning victory over the British at the #BattleOfSaratoga. Saratoga is not just a battle. It’s a strategic turning point for the American rebel cause. Victory at Saratoga locks in French support for young America. That support ultimately becomes decisive in Britain’s defeat, and the establishment of the United States of America. 

General Kościuszko’s legacy is multifaceted, and requires books to document. Countless military units and organizations adopt the name of this revered Pole. The latest manifestation of Kościuszko the #AmericanArmy @USArmy dubbing our base in Poznan, Poland, as #CampKościuszko!

It’s very fitting that Camp Kościuszko is home to the 🇺🇸Army’s first permanently assigned unit on NATO’s #EasternFront - that is, it’s home to the Forward Headquarters of the 🇺🇸Army’s Vth “Victory” Corps @VCorps.

Hopefully soon, the entire Army Vth Corps HQ is assigned to Camp Kościuszko. It’s the only 🇺🇸Army Corps singly focused on European defense, and therefore, should be fully and permanently present in Europe - in Poland - to maximize 🇺🇸/NATO operational relationships and readiness. This is the way we assist Poland/Allies to achieve #PeaceThroughStrength, which is #AmericaFirst.

Kościuszko remains inspirational (as does his compatriot Gen #KazimierzPulaski, another Polish/American hero). A point to recall today is just how adept Kościuszko is at preparing multilayered defensive fortifications anywhere General #GeorgeWashington assigns him. His method of employing #ForwardDefenses and #DefensesInDepth at Saratoga, are a typical example of his engineering brilliance

It’s a similar story at #WestPoint. In fact, West Point is where Kościuszko shows us what “Right Looks Like” regarding deterrence. So strong are Kościuszko’s defenses along the Hudson River at West Point, that the British Navy is deterred from ever testing them. That’s the military art, science and engineering we need employed today in Europe, against revisionist-Russia. 🇺🇸/NATO must incorporate lessons from Kościuszko to realize lost deterrence and readiness against Russia.

Employ Kościuszko’s defensive concepts from ForwardDefense on NATO’s EasternFront, from the Arctic to Africa, to defending rear lines in Western Europe, the Atlantic, to 🇺🇸 and 🇨🇦 (of course this must include defending all of the vulnerabilities which Russia targets - land, air, maritime, undersea infrastructure, cyber, informational, economic, energy, and so on).

This must include robust #JointAllDomainOperations #JADO capabilities, including AI, Space and Cyber; #AirAndMissileDefense #AMD; heavy-armored formations, lighter high mobility forces (including AI, intelligence, robotic capable forces); mobile artillery and long range precision rocket artillery; attack/lift rotary wing capabilities; forward and smart logistics; multilayered offensive and defensive drone forces; 5th and 6th generation fighter aircraft; smart surface and undersea manned and unmanned ships/systems, and more.

NATO must take a page from Kosciuszko’s “playbook,” and rapidly (1) help Ukraine defeat Russia; (2) while retooling NATO’s defense industry, including ForwardDefense centered on Poland, and Romania as NATO’s bastions, and strategic ForwardDefense hubs. 

Finally, it’s an honor for me to recently join the #SaratogaFoundation @TheSaratoga_Fdn - which is inspired by wait for it…. The🇺🇸Kościuszko-led victory at Saratoga!

🇺🇸🇵🇱🇱🇹 
#FYFAO #PLUS

https://t.co/bOLsyq0mcn

[Inga Tolockiene @IngaTolockiene]

Honored to speak at the 🇱🇹-coordinated @ukraine_2eu event on Ukraine’s business and EU path. Lithuania grew from half the #EU’s #GDP per capita to near the average through institutional reforms that built a fair and level playing field. Urged 🇺🇦 business to champion such reforms.

[Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 @andrii_sybiha]

During the night strike, Russia also targeted diplomats—in direct breach of the Vienna convention. The EU mission to Ukraine was damaged. This requires not only the EU’s, but worldwide condemnation. We express solidarity with our EU colleagues and are ready to provide assistance.

[DG MEME 🇪🇺 @meme_ec]

Happy Restoration of Independence Day! 🇪🇪🇪🇺

[DG MEME 🇪🇺 @meme_ec]

EN, IT, DE: https://t.co/y6oX6MDUeI
Ever wondered what happens if the EU leaves itself (EUxit)?
Brave Old Europe, DG MEME's first #book, tries to answer this and many other questions, with the surreal imagination that makes us unique.

[LTembassyUA @LTembassyUA]

The first Steering Committee meeting of the #Ukraine2EU project—co-funded by 🇪🇺🇱🇹🇩🇰🇸🇪—took place in Kyiv. Technical work pushes ahead — Ukraine moves forward with reforms and we're supporting the complex process every step of the way.

[Kęstutis Budrys @BudrysKestutis]

#Ukraine must become a member of the #EU by 2030. 🇺🇦🇪🇺

Ukraine's EU membership is not only a part of security guarantees, but also a path toward greater resilience& prosperity. It is vital for the security& stability of Europe as well.

Lithuania’s EU membership is success story, marked by a booming economy, increased innovation& the prosperity of our people. Ukraine deserves the same opportunity.

We stand ready to assist 🇺🇦 on its EU integration journey. Together with our 🇩🇰🇸🇪 partners, Lithuania has launched a €16.7 million EU integration support program @ukraine_2eu. This initiative will aid Ukraine in pursuing critical reforms& accelerate the accession process, even amid wartime challenges.

Ukraine belongs in the European family!

[Ukraine2EU @ukraine_2eu]

“Ukraine2EU provides not only technical support, but ensures flexibility to respond to urgent needs. We work with 🇺🇦 institutions to help them navigate all stages of EU accession.” – @ManTe_Ma_, Head of the Programme.

#Ukraine2EU #EUintegration #StrongerTogether

[Protect Kamala Harris ✊ @DisavowTrump20]

RETWEET if you stand with President Zelensky!

[Sveinn Helgason @svennihelga]

Velkominn til Íslands Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Við styðjum Úkraínu. Welcome to #Reykjavík #Iceland President @ZelenskyyUa We support #Ukraine

[Dr. Benjamin L. Schmitt🇺🇸🇺🇦🇪🇺🇹🇼 @BLSchmitt]

🚨ALERT🚨 #Chinese-owned cargo vessel <SHUNXING39> is suspected of intentional anchor-drag sabotage resulting in the damage of a subsea telecommunications cable connecting to northern #Taiwan. Reports that the vessel has an upcoming scheduled port call in Busan have led Taiwanese officials to call on South #Korean authorities to investigate the ship and crew if it calls at Busan.

Full story: https://t.co/562DnzxByX

[Dr. Benjamin L. Schmitt🇺🇸🇺🇦🇪🇺🇹🇼 @BLSchmitt]

🇺🇸🇪🇺🇩🇪 Always a pleasure to join “Germany’s Peter Jennings” @DWNews @BrentGoffTV‼️

This week we broke down the importance of #Ukraine ending the era of Russian gas transit to #Europe, the impact on #Moldova, and the importance of #Germany not returning to “energy business as usual” with #Putin:

[Dr. Benjamin L. Schmitt🇺🇸🇺🇦🇪🇺🇹🇼 @BLSchmitt]

🇺🇸🇪🇺🇺🇦 When I testified before the @HelsinkiComm, Congressman @RepCohen asked me about the cretinous thoughts on Ukraine by RFK Jr & Don Jr, Putin’s “ballerina girlfriend”, & what @NATO can do to push back on #Russian sabotage attacks against energy & critical infrastructure in #Europe.

I said that it’s time for the “escalation managers” in #Washington and #Berlin to stop discouraging #NATO member states in which sabotage attacks have already been attributed to #Russian actors or GRU hired proxies to band together and declare Article 4 consultations.

If we want to deter further shadow attacks while supporting #Ukraine, it’s time for Article 4 now!

My full response:

[CEPA @cepa]

The British-Baltic Defense Model | "Allied security is enhanced at top-level meetings but also through ground-level partnerships from warships and submersibles to high-tech labs." @DaliaBankausk @LeonMCook @milasius https://t.co/Xyb8jmLSMd

[Sveinn Helgason @svennihelga]

Congratulations to #Lithuania on 20 years of #NATO membership today 29 March. You are tough, fearless and warm people. This nation and country has a special place in my heart. The military community of @efp_lithuania in Rukla was challenging but very rewarding. #WeAreNATO

[Sophie Pedder @PedderSophie]

Macron on French TV this evening :
The war in 🇺🇦 is “existential…”If Russia were to win, life for the French would change. We would no longer have security in Europe. Who can seriously believe that Putin, who has respected no limits, would stop there?”

[CEPA @cepa]

A Message to NATO: Be More Baltic | "As some Western nations waver in their commitment to Ukraine, the Baltic states have remained steadfast and generous allies. It’s an example to emulate." Krista Viksnins https://t.co/Ho28CdCMWc

[RaMurmoka @RaMurmoka]

Congratulations 👏🏻! The #PÖFF27 Best Baltic Producer for Co-production award goes to...
"Slow" directed by Marija Kavtaradze 🇱🇹 #lithuanianfilmmakers #tallinnblacknightsff

[Kurt Volker @kvolker]

@POTUS has it backwards. It is not that #Ukraine is not ready for #NATO membership. It is NATO that is not ready to admit Ukraine. And that will come back to haunt. @cepa @cnn @FareedZakaria
https://t.co/2X18JU2puO