Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda had a phone call with US President-elect Donald Trump on Monday.
Nausėda congratulated Trump on his election victory, highlighted the importance of the strategic partnership between Vilnius and Washington, and reaffirmed Lithuania’s strong commitment to national defence, the President’s Office said in a press release.
Nausėda also assured Trump that Lithuania would provide the best possible conditions for the permanent presence of US troops in the country, it said.
“I thank the president-elect of the United States for his warm words to Lithuania on its efforts to strengthen defence,” the Lithuanian president was quoted as saying in the press release.
“It is good to know that Mr Trump is well acquainted with the security situation in the region and the energy system challenges that Ukraine is facing ahead of the winter season,” he said.
The two leaders also discussed support for Ukraine and “the negative impact of cooperation between Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea on the international security architecture”.
“The president expressed his appreciation for the incoming US administration’s plans to pursue peace through a display of strength and underscored the necessity of supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, thereby curbing the ambitions of other authoritarian regimes,” Nausėda’s office said.
The president emphasised Lithuania’s close defence ties with the US, noting that the two countries have signed numerous new contracts for the acquisition of weapons and military equipment in recent years.
“Moreover, Lithuania is prepared to actively strengthen its relations with the US in business, innovation, and energy,” the statement added.
Republican Donald Trump, who defeated Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the November election, is set to be inaugurated as US president on January 20.
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