Lithuania ready to host additional US forces, defence minister says

Lithuania is ready to host additional US forces and provide the infrastructure they need, Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said after meeting the US ambassador to NATO, LRT reported.

Kaunas met Matthew Whitaker at the Berlin Security Conference. The two discussed the continued US military presence in Lithuania, strengthening NATO’s eastern flank, hybrid threats and support for Ukraine, the Defence Ministry said.

Kaunas said Lithuania’s military infrastructure was praised as a model. He also stressed the need for closer intelligence-sharing among allies on possible provocations and coordinated action to counter them.

On air defence, Kaunas said Lithuania was investing in its national capabilities but also needed NATO support.

During the meeting, Kaunas said Lithuania was investing more in its own and regional security, while expecting the United States to fulfil its commitments. He added that cooperation between the US and Lithuanian militaries and defence ministries remained close and was growing in some areas.

In September, it was announced that two US battalions would arrive in Lithuania at the end of October. That would amount to more than 1,000 troops, similar to the number present in recent years. During a US review of its military presence in Europe this summer, just over 100 US troops had remained in Lithuania.

In early October, US President Donald Trump said the United States would consider establishing a permanent military base in Lithuania. Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius has said Lithuania is ready to host US troops permanently and cover the costs of a base if Washington decides to establish one. US troops have rotated through Lithuania, with breaks, every nine months since 2014.