Tweets on Defence, Lithuania, St Andrews, Cape Cod etc. Views expressed here are entirely my own. RTs/follows are not endorsements.
London, Dalwhinnie, Charleston
Joined April 2011
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Alex Walmsley retweeted
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is spilling over onto the Eastern flank of NATO and EU.
This morning, NATO fighter jets stationed at Šiauliai Air Base scrambled once again after an unidentified object entered Lithuanian airspace.
What appears to be a drone exploded over the northern part of the country, posing a danger to the civilian population. Our specialists are currently working at the site.
Alex Walmsley retweeted
Very sorry to report that Douglas Dunn has passed away. He was the finest Scottish poet of the post-war period. Dougie was also someone we knew and loved as a dear friend, mentor and teacher, and he will be deeply missed.
Alex Walmsley retweeted
Zelenskyy simply and accurately explains why giving up the Donbas won’t end the war:
"Putin says he wants the Donbas, but why, at the start of the full-scale invasion, was he trying to occupy Kyiv?
Is that the east of our country? Is that the Donbas? No, that’s the capital. Without a capital, there is no state.
Putin wants to destroy Ukraine. For us, the question is not about withdrawing from the Donbas.
The real question is the survival of our state. We stand and fight, because what is the alternative? To be destroyed.
Simply put, not everyone feels this because Ukraine is still standing. We have stabilized the battlefield.
We are grateful to our partners in Europe, America, and other countries, Japan is helping, Canada is helping, Australia, New Zealand, whoever can.
Ukraine stands against such a powerful enemy as Russia. We stand, otherwise we will be destroyed.
It’s always difficult, you know, in communications with partners, to find the right words, the warnings that they will truly understand.
Putin wants to destroy us. He doesn't respect us, our sovereignty, or our territorial integrity.
He genuinely believes that we are not a country, not a nation.
So do you really trust that he only needs the eastern part of our country? Of course that will never be enough for him.
And what will happen if we fall? How many people, I don’t know, maybe twenty million Ukrainians, will come to Europe?
Because Putin will destroy our homes and force us out. For me, this is absolutely clear.
That’s why we are standing strong, defending our country. Yes, with pain, with huge losses.
That’s why we are asking: stop the killing. And as I have heard so many times from POTUS, 'they have to stop the killing.'
Russia is killing us on our own territory. They came onto our land and keep pushing further.
They do not want to stop. They do not even want to freeze the war, as you can see.
So, do you think what Putin really wants is just the eastern part of our country? No. It will never be enough for a person like him."
Alex Walmsley retweeted
Congress passed tough sanctions on Russia to punish Putin and help end the war in Ukraine. Now the White House turns around and undoes all of that to let Russia off the hook for their illegal invasion. That isn’t maximum pressure. It’s maximum retreat.
Alex Walmsley retweeted
If Putin stops fighting, the war ends. If Zelensky stops fighting then his country will be occupied, leaders murdered, language banned, businesses stolen, children kidnapped. That's what happens in Russian-occupied Ukraine.
Alex Walmsley retweeted
I am grateful for your support for Ukraine. Thank you. We’ve been through a lot together – during these years of full-scale war.
None of us wanted this war, absolutely none of us. But it is us who have to deal with its brutality and all the instability it has caused.
Unity in defense is always built by many standing together. Without a determined European Union capable of making strong decisions Putin would have gone much further by now.
The European Union has not fallen apart. It has not backed down or given in to fear when it came to defending the European way of life. And that mattered just as much as the courage of Ukrainians.
From an address to the participants of the European Council meeting. (1/5)
Alex Walmsley retweeted
Today, I observed “Thunder of Perkūnas 26”, the largest military exercise of the year.
During the exercise, the Lithuanian Armed Forces train to carry out tasks set out in national defense plans in coordination with NATO forces, the Ministry of the Interior, and other agencies.
Joint operations with NATO are a particularly important element of the exercise. We are not alone — the deployment of U.S. and German military units in Lithuania is clear evidence of that.
These joint exercises further strengthen our readiness to defend ourselves together, if necessary, and to protect the freedom and values we all share.
Alex Walmsley retweeted
Tell me you’re an ex-Army officer without telling me you’re an ex-Army officer.
Claudia hasn’t even said “go” yet and @JamesBlunt has already organised the plan, assigned arcs, and is mildly concerned about everyone else’s spacing. You never truly leave. 🫡 @BritishVeteran
Alex Walmsley retweeted
Irene Cavanagh, from #Southport, who served alongside the @R_Signals as an auxiliary sergeant during #WW2, has been presented with a war service medal on her 100th birthday. Staff at Irene's care home worked with @SSAFA to arrange the medal presentation.
bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg5…
Alex Walmsley retweeted
Key point here. Baltics are not a pushover. They are not "next". (or "tiny" or "ex-Soviet republics") They are vigilant, increasingly well-armed with weapons that will deter aggressors. The real "frontline" is elsewhere: Germany, France, UK and the USA.
Estonia is redeploying troops closer to the Russian border and implementing an 'active defense" strategy aimed at stopping any attack during the very first battle.
Estonia is building new border bases and purchasing long-range weapons from the United States and South Korea capable of striking targets up to 300 kilometers inside Russian territory.
Source: FT
Alex Walmsley retweeted
Construction has begun in Kaunas FEZ on a Leopard 2A8 assembly and repair facility. The project will bring key heavy military equipment maintenance capabilities to Lithuania, strengthen supply chain resilience and deepen 🇱🇹🇩🇪 defence industrial cooperation.
Alex Walmsley retweeted
I'd be careful about summarising without checking. For example, Estonia already has HIMARS (since last year). And the word "could" is doing an awful lot of work here.
Alex Walmsley retweeted
'Putin does not plan to attack any European countries', technically true from his POV because he thinks the ones he does plan to attack are just part of Russia anyway
Alex Walmsley retweeted
Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten:
"Russia poses a rapidly increasing threat to the NATO Alliance: in the Baltic States, where Moscow has cast its long shadows for many years.
In the North Sea, where the shadow fleet operates with increasing impunity. And here in Germany, where a drone attack in Leipzig very nearly hit its target only two months ago.
And this means Europe is facing a new security reality, and under this increasing pressure, Europe needs to show what it's made of."
Alex Walmsley retweeted
35 years ago, Lithuania's 🇱🇹 flag was raised at #UN Headquarters in New York, marking our return to the international community.
Today, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to international law, multilateral cooperation, and support for nations defending freedom & sovereignty.
Alex Walmsley retweeted
NATO air defence responded—the threat was neutralised. At around 00:20, Italian fighter jets scrambled from Šiauliai and shot down an identified drone in Lithuanian airspace. Debris was found and the site secured. Thank you, Allies! 🇱🇹🇮🇹 #WeAreNATO
Alex Walmsley retweeted
A drone that just entered Lithuanian airspace was destroyed by NATO fighter jets. I thank Allied personnel for their swift response.
With Russia intensifying its aggression against Ukraine, such readiness is vital for our region. Together with our NATO Allies, Lithuania will defend its airspace.
Alex Walmsley retweeted
Today is #worldsuicidepreventionday. Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness. In fact, it may be the bravest decision you'll ever make as a veteran or serving member of the #armedforces.
If life feels overwhelming, don't battle alone. @SSAFA's Forcesline (0800 260 6780) is a free, confidential and independent service, outside the chain of command, offering a listening ear when you need it most.
Because sometimes the strongest thing you can do is reach out.
#starttheconversation #mentalhealth #neverbattlealone
