Nausėda says returning US rotation will likely include 1,000 troops

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said on Tuesday that the US troop rotation returning to Lithuania will likely include about 1,000 service members, LRT reported.

“I think we can talk about that,” Nausėda said in a video comment provided by the Presidential Palace in response to LRT’s questions.

He said the number would probably be similar to the previous rotation and would likely not be lower. A difference of 100 troops in either direction would not be significant, he added, describing the deployment as an important deterrent in the current geopolitical context.

Nausėda said earlier on Tuesday that a new US troop rotation was on its way to Lithuania. He said details were still being coordinated, but that he had been told the logistical process was moving forward and had entered its final stage.

The president said he had heard from the United States that the rotation would return and that the decision, which is important for Lithuania’s security, had essentially been made.

Nausėda attributed the decision in part to Lithuania’s offer of a generous host-nation support package, its commitment to allocate 5.4% of gross domestic product to defence, its solidarity on issues related to the Strait of Hormuz, its readiness to send a demining mission, and its energy and broader economic cooperation with the United States.

He also highlighted talks with the head of defence industry giant Lockheed Martin about opportunities to develop projects in Lithuania. The discussions covered expanding the company’s activities in the country, involving Lithuanian businesses in its supply chains, localising the production of certain components and developing maintenance capabilities.

“I think the United States has formed the impression that Lithuania is both a reliable and strong partner with which it is worthwhile to cooperate strategically,” Nausėda said.

The United States is currently reviewing its troop presence in Europe. More than 1,000 US troops completed a rotation in Lithuania this summer. The United States has regularly deployed troop battalions to Lithuania since 2019, and changed the status of its forces in the country to continuous rotational deployment after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

These reinforced battalions usually consist of 1,000 or more troops and various types of combat equipment. Lithuania has previously said it is ready to host up to 1,500 US troops.

In August, the United States sent a questionnaire asking European countries to demonstrate progress in taking primary responsibility for the continent’s defence after an agreement to increase military budgets.

Nausėda confident German brigade will arrive in full

Nausėda also said he was confident that Germany’s brigade in Lithuania would be deployed at full strength.

“The German brigade will be in Lithuania in its entirety,” he told LRT in New York on Tuesday, referring to a commitment made by Germany’s chancellor and government.

Under an agreement between Lithuania and Germany, Berlin plans to deploy a brigade of about 5,000 troops in Lithuania by the end of 2027. Most of the brigade will be based at the Rūdninkai training area in Šalčininkai district.