The American military battalion stationed in Lithuania since 2019 will now remain there indefinitely, extending beyond the initially planned departure in 2025
The decision to extend the stay of the U.S. military forces was announced by Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas during his visit to the U.S.
Minister Kasčiūnas expressed his gratitude towards the Americans for their commitment to maintaining a military presence in the Baltic countries. He assured that Lithuania will provide all necessary support and appropriate infrastructure, as per NATO standards, for the incoming American troops,
This commitment was further discussed in a meeting between Minister Kasčiūnas and Christine Wormuth, the U.S. deputy secretary of defense.
Additionally, NATO’s military committee chairman, Admiral Bauer, recently emphasized the alliance’s guarantees to eastern flank countries, asserting that Article 5 of the NATO treaty, which relates to mutual defense among member states, remains non-negotiable in the face of direct threats.
This assurance comes amid concerns of Russian ambitions that extend beyond Ukraine, highlighting the importance of readiness for any potential adverse scenarios.
A multinational battlegroup also operates in Latvia under NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence initiative, which includes a Polish contingent, underscoring the ongoing strategic importance of the Baltic region to NATO’s defense posture.
