Lithuania ready to cover costs of permanent US military base

Lithuania is prepared to cover the costs of a permanent US military base in the country, Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said on Tuesday, according to LRT.

“Our partners only need to make the political decision on the permanent deployment of troops, and Lithuania is ready to cover the related financial costs,” Sinkevičius wrote on Facebook.

He was responding to US President Donald Trump’s statement that the United States would consider establishing a permanent military base in Lithuania. Trump also described Lithuanians as “great people”. Sinkevičius said he was pleased the idea was being taken seriously and stressed the importance of allies’ contributions to Lithuania’s security. He described US troops in Lithuania as a critical deterrent and security guarantee.

Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas thanked Trump for his view of Lithuania and said he would work to advance the idea. Kaunas said he had raised the possibility of a permanent base with US officials during a visit to the United States in late September.

Kaunas called Trump’s remarks a positive signal but said no decisions had been made. He said Lithuania would make every effort to ensure the proposal was considered.

US troops have been deployed to Lithuania on a rotating basis, with varying numbers of soldiers, since 2014, BNS reported. After the United States reviewed its presence in Europe this summer, just over 100 US troops remained in Lithuania. In late September, officials said two battalions, totalling more than 1,000 troops, were expected to arrive by the end of October. US troops rotate in Lithuania every nine months.