US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is visiting Lithuania on Saturday amid growing tensions over Russia's military escalation near Ukraine.
"I conveyed to the secretary of defense Lithuania's readiness to receive more US troops, if the administration were to decide so," Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė told reporters after her meeting with Austin.
Asked to specify whether she heard any concrete commitments about a permanent deployment of US troops in Lithuania, she said that "such promises are not given just like that".
She added, however, that she heard Washington's commitments to give "proper attention" to the security of Baltic states.
The US has been deploying rotational battalions, of around 500 soldiers, to Lithuania since 2019.
President Gitanas Nausėda, who also met with Austin on Saturday, said he had asked for permanent American military presence in Lithuania to deter Russian aggression.
"The head of state emphasised that, amid rising tensions in the region, deploying a permanent US rotational battalion in Lithuania would strengthen deterrence," according to a press release by Nausėda's office.
On Friday, Nausėda also met with US Vice President Kamala Harris who was attending the Munich Security Conference in Germany.
"It was said that the issue of strengthening the Baltic states is currently being discussed, because the threats that exist now require a response, both in the NATO format and from our allies, first of all the US," Nausėda said in a comment sent by his office to BNS.
"I believe they are in the process now and there should be some decisions soon," he added.
"No matter what, the USA will stand with our allies and partners, together we work to overcome any challenges," Lloyd told a press conference on Saturday.
"I don't have any announcements to make today in troop presence. [...] We will continue to assess the situation and consult with our allies. And as security environment evolves, we’ll consult with our allies and make any necessary adjustments," he added.
The US secretary underlined the US's absolute commitment to NATO's Article 5.
"Any attack against Lithuanian is an attack against us all," Austin said.
Having met with the Pentagon leader, Lithuanian government representative say they hope for more.
Speaking at a joint press conference, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, substituting for Defence Minister Arvydas Anušauskas, said the Baltic states hope for "stronger support and additional capabilities to defend our three Baltic states" in response to Russia's attempts to redraw Europe's security architecture.
"We must be very seriously determined not only regarding deterrence but also regarding possible need to defend ourselves," Lithuania's foreign minister said.
Austin also called Lithuania an "incredibly important partner", adding that the United States is "very grateful for Lithuania's tremendous hospitality in hosting hundreds of troops".
Russia's action near Ukraine's border has only strengthened NATO, Austin said, adding that the US stands ready to deploy thousands of troops, if the Alliance activated Rapid Response Force to step up regional security.
War is always avoidable
US President Joe Biden's recent warning that Russian President Vladimir Putin had made the decision to invade Ukraine and it could happen over the upcoming days has further raised concern.
Speaking at the joint conference, Landsbergis said a place needed to be left at the diplomacy table for those who "want to sit at that table".
"But if the chair at this table remains empty, we need to say very clearly that we are ready to defend and be defended," the minister said.
Russia is trying to rewrite Europe's security architecture and is taking a force-based path, Landsbergis said.
"This path is especially dangerous for states like Lithuania, Latvia or Estonia as our security depends on compliance with agreements. Therefore, today, we must send a very clear and unambiguous signal to Russia that NATO will not ignore attempts to rewrite Europe's security architecture," Landsbergis said.
In his words, if Moscow attacks, "Russia will face a response in the form of sanctions, and Ukraine will receive a response in the form of assistance".
Nevertheless, the minister underlined that "a war is always avoidable".
"But it now depends on Russia and Mr. Putin which path he will choose," Lithuania's top diplomat said. "They are ready but can still take a step back."
The US says Moscow has some 150,000 troops and military equipment near Ukraine's borders.
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