Trump says he will consider permanent US base in Lithuania

US President Donald Trump says he will consider establishing a permanent American military base in Lithuania, but no decision has been made, LRT reports. Lithuanian officials say the country is ready to cover the costs, while noting that the United States has been reducing its forces in Europe.

Asked by an LRT correspondent whether he would consider Lithuania’s invitation to establish a permanent base, Trump said: “They are my friends. Great people, so we will certainly consider it.”

Lithuania’s Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas submitted the proposal to the Pentagon about two weeks ago. “No decisions have been made so far; discussions are under way. As you can see, the signals are positive,” he said.

Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said he had raised Lithuania’s interest in a permanent US troop presence with US special envoy to Belarus John Coale about a month ago. He said Lithuania was ready to provide the best conditions.

The announcement comes shortly after the return of a US troop rotation to Lithuania was confirmed following a six-month break. About 1,000 troops are expected to serve for nine months. Remigijus Motuzas, chair of the Seimas Foreign Affairs Committee, said a permanent base could help ensure rotations run more smoothly and avoid long gaps.

Sinkevičius said Lithuania was prepared to pay the costs of establishing a base. Kaunas said the facilities at Pabradė could be expanded to accommodate about 1,500 troops, adding that Lithuania already covers the costs of US troops’ presence.

Laurynas Kasčiūnas, deputy chair of the Seimas National Security and Defence Committee, said it was too early to speak of a concrete plan. He noted that a permanent base in Lithuania would run counter to the current trend, as the United States is seeking greater flexibility and a smaller presence in Europe.

Poland has been seeking a permanent US base for nearly a decade and previously proposed calling it “Fort Trump”. Trump also said he would consider a base there, praising Poland’s president. Motuzas said Poland’s proximity could make it unlikely that the United States would establish two permanent bases in eastern Europe. Another Lithuanian politician noted that, despite positive signals, there is still no clear decision on the ground in Poland.