Secretary of Protection Lloyd J. Austin III welcomed Lithuanian Protection Minister Arvydas Anusauskas to the Pentagon for conferences and to signal a reciprocal protection procurement settlement that goals to strengthen deterrence in Europe. NATO ally Lithuania is likely one of the frontline states that border Russia. Anusauskas advised Austin that his nation will comply with America’s lead regarding Russia, and NATO “is on the best facet of historical past” on this concern. Lithuania has grow to be a beacon of democracy within the area. That features internet hosting exiled Russian and Belarusian opposition leaders, which units an necessary instance for different allies to comply with.
Lithuania has a border with the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad and with Belarus. “The regime in Belarus has been cynically utilizing migrants as a hybrid tactic towards Lithuania and its neighbors,” Austin mentioned. “In the meantime, Russia is conducting a steady hybrid marketing campaign of its personal. And now China can be rising its strain on Lithuania. I commend your authorities for its agency coverage concerning China, and we all know that you’ve confronted reprisals to your principled selections.”
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Lithuania grew to become a NATO companion in 1991 and a full member of the alliance in 2004. U.S. and Lithuanian service members have served alongside each other in Afghanistan and NATO and bilateral workout routines through the years. Since 2019, there was a rotational U.S. unit within the nation together with a German-led NATO battalion. For many years, U.S. and Lithuanian service members have stood shoulder to shoulder towards frequent threats and adversaries working collectively to advance shared pursuits and values. The following step is the U.S.-Lithuania Reciprocal Protection Procurement Settlement. This settlement will enhance circumstances for the acquisition of protection objects and improve navy interoperability.
