“We are grateful for the U.S .leadership and support in ensuring the security of our region in air and sea domains. We cannot underestimate Russia, it will recover shortly and only a significant U.S force presence in the regional will deter it from conducting yet another attack,” said A. Anušauskas.
Meeting Secretary of the Navy C. Del Toro, Minister highlighted to him that Lithuania was monitoring intense Russian Navy activities in the Baltic Sea, as well as how important to Lithuania was the U.S. Navy exercises held in the Baltic Sea and arrivals of U.S. warships and infantry units in Lithuania.
“We wish to and we are ready to host more of your capabilities. Our investment in Host Nation Support and required infrastructure is intense as we aim to offer the best training conditions we can for your rotational forces,” said A. Anušauskas receiving assurances from C. Del Toro that U.S. Navy activities were set to increase in the Baltic Sea.
At the meeting with U.S. Secretary of the Air Force F. Kendall, minister pled for his personal support for a stronger air defence in the eastern part of the Alliance, as well as for a heavier air training schedule in Lithuania.
“We will place practical air defence enhancement in the region high on the agenda at the NATO Summit in Vilnius: we aim for NATO decisions regarding additional deployment of Allied air defence capabilities and we call for support for such decisions are taken. It would give a very clear signal that the Baltic airspace shall be defended,” Minister stated.
A. Anušauskas underscored that infrastructure at the Lithuanian Air Force Base at Šiauliai was being upgraded along with the other efforts to develop all conditions necessary for a more extensive presence of U.S. and other Allies in Lithuania.
The United States is a strategic partner to Lithuania and one of the key Allies to the security in the Baltic region. The Americans actively contribute to the assurance measures in the Baltic states with troops and equipment and financial assistance for strengthening Lithuania’s defensive capabilities and thus enhances regional security and stability.
