Nausėda says US base proposal signals confidence in Lithuania

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda welcomed US President Donald Trump’s remarks that Washington would consider establishing a permanent US military base in Lithuania, saying they showed confidence in the country, LRT reported.

“This is very good news, showing that the US trusts Lithuania,” Nausėda said in a video released by the presidential office on Tuesday. He said the priority was to proceed consistently and await the arrival of US troops on rotation, adding that Lithuania had prepared suitable conditions for them.

Nausėda said he had previously told the US president that Lithuania would apply what he called the “host nation package” for US troops. He described Lithuania as a strategic and responsible NATO partner.

The president said a permanent US presence would be preferable to troop rotations. In his view, Lithuania could become a regional hub for US troops and help strengthen the security of other Baltic states. He said Lithuania would continue working towards that possibility, while welcoming the US decision to establish a military base in Poland.

Trump said on Monday that Washington would consider setting up a permanent US military base in Lithuania. Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius has tasked the Ministry of National Defence with gathering information on the conditions Lithuania could offer US troops. Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said Lithuania was prepared to cover the associated costs, while Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said the possibility was being discussed but no decision had been made.

Sinkevičius has also discussed the possibility of permanently stationing US troops in Lithuania with US special envoy to Belarus John Coale.