From Lithuania to the USA: Establish a permanent base in our country, we are ready to cover the costs

Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevicius made a statement regarding US President Donald Trump's statement that he would consider Lithuania's request for a "permanent military base" in the country.

“AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT STEP IN TERMS OF DETERRENCE AND SECURITY GUARANTEE”

Prime Minister Sinkevicius shared Trump's speech on his social media account and said, "This is an extremely important step in terms of deterrence and security guarantee. Until now, US troops have been in Lithuania for a limited time, usually on a rotating basis, with extension decisions taken each time. In my meeting with US Special Representative John Coale, I stated that the US could establish a permanent base in Lithuania. I am pleased that this idea is taken seriously. We find the contribution of our allies to our security valuable."

"All our partners need to do is take a political decision on the permanent deployment of troops, and Lithuania is ready to cover the costs associated with this," Sinkevicius said.

WHAT DID TRUMP SAY?

US President Donald Trump answered questions from members of the press in the White House garden before his trip to Nebraska. Asked about Lithuania's invitation to the United States to establish a permanent US base in the country, Trump said, "They are our friends and great people. So we will definitely consider it."

US MILITARY PRESENCE IN LITHUANIA

Lithuania, a member of the EU and NATO, borders Russia and Russia's close ally Belarus.

The United States has maintained an armored battalion consisting of approximately a thousand soldiers in Lithuania since 2019. These units serve alternately.