A new rotation of US troops is on its way to Lithuania, President Gitanas Nausėda said, confirming the continued presence of American forces in the country.
“Great news for Lithuania – US troops will continue to be stationed in our country. We are grateful to President Donald Trump and the US administration for this decision, which is important not only for Lithuania’s security but for the security of the entire region,” Nausėda said in a statement issued by the presidential office, LRT reports.
The exact number of troops in the new rotation has not yet been confirmed, but Nausėda said it would not be lower than the previous deployment.
Presidential adviser Deividas Matulionis noted that official confirmation of the deployment had reached him by lunchtime.
“It has been confirmed that the troop rotation is on its way, already on trains, and is expected to arrive in Lithuania in the near future,” Matulionis said.
He confirmed that the size of the new contingent would not be smaller than the previous deployment.
“I cannot say exactly because the Americans have not yet given us the number. The only thing I can say is that it will not be lower than before,” Matulionis said.
The United States is currently reviewing the deployment of its forces in Europe. More than 1,000 US troops completed their rotation in Lithuania this summer.
Washington has regularly deployed battalion-sized units to Lithuania since 2019. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the US shifted to continuous rotational deployments in the country.
The reinforced battalions have typically included 1,000 or more troops, along with various types of combat equipment. Lithuania has previously said it is prepared to host up to 1,500 US troops.
In August, the United States sent European countries a questionnaire seeking information on their progress toward assuming greater responsibility for the defense of the continent following an agreement to increase defence spending.
By Vafa Guliyeva
