US President Joe Biden hinted at the possibility of bolstering American military capabilities in the region during his conversation with the leaders of the Bucharest Nine group amid tensions over Russia's military build-up near Ukraine, said Lithuanian president’s senior adviser Asta Skaisgirytė.
"President Biden assured that during his conversation with Putin he made it very clear that if dynamics in Europe, specifically in Ukraine, were undermined, Russia would face very serious consequences that the US would also coordinate with European partners," Skaisgirytė told reporters on Thursday night after the US president's conversation with the Bucharest Nine leaders.
The Bucharest group includes Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary.
"Speaking about countries in NATO's eastern flank, it was said 'nothing about you without you', in other words, nothing will be discussed behind the backs of the Bucharest Nine countries. President Biden also said that additional assurance elements, including additional capabilities, were possible in these countries," the senior adviser said.
Biden did not provide any specifics on where those capabilities could be deployed during the 45-minute conversation.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said during the conversation that Ukraine "is now the county where a fight for democracy is taking place and we need to do everything to help Ukraine", according to Skaisgirytė. In her words, the president focused on medical assistance, as well as military training, provided by Lithuania.
Nausėda also asked for Biden's assurance that "nothing will be discussed with Russia under various formats".
"President Biden assured that nothing will be done without us, this is why he wanted to speak with the Bucharest Nine countries," Skaisgirytė said.
In recent weeks, Western countries have been voicing concern over around 120,000 Russian troops massed near the country's border with Ukraine.
Biden and Putin discussed the existing tensions during a two-hour video call on Tuesday. During that conversation, Biden warned Putin about a "strong" economic response if Moscow attacked its neighbour.
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