Lithuanian Defence Minister, Arvindas Anousauskas, submitted his resignation on Friday evening, although the reasons that led the politician to this decision have not yet been made known.

Lithuanian Prime Minister, Igrinda Simonite, has received the letter of resignation, but it is not known whether she will accept it.

Mrs. Simonite is expected to make a statement on the matter tomorrow, Monday, according to Lithuanian media. Mr. Anousauskas, who took office in December 2020, has not spoken publicly so far.

Ministers in Lithuania are appointed or dismissed from their duties by a decision of the President, upon the Prime Minister’s recommendation.

Lithuania neighbors the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad and Russia’s ally Belarus. The war in Ukraine is perceived in Vilnius as an immediate threat to Lithuanian national security.

The small Baltic country, a member of both the EU and NATO, has greatly increased its military spending in recent years.

Also read: Germany | Sends 5,000 troops to Lithuania