U.S destroyer docks in Lithuania amid Ukraine unrest

  • 2014-07-04
  • From wire reports, VILNIUS

The USS Oscar Austin aims to ensure peace and security in the Baltic Region (photo: flickr)

A U.S. Navy destroyer has docked in Klaipeda, Lithuania as part of ongoing NATO activity in the region.

The visit of the USS Oscar Austin aims to ensure peace and security in the Baltic Region, ELTA reports.

The number of U.S. troops based in the Baltic States has increased amid the crisis in the Ukraine.

On July 4, Dalia Grybauskaite, President of Lithuania, Minister of National Defense Juozas Olekas, US Ambassador in Lithuania Deborah and other guests are also expected to conduct visits to the vessel.

Sailors will also visit children's foster home Rytas in Klaipeda to renovate the front of the building and organize a sports event for the children together with Lithuanian Navy's sailors.

The ship departed its home in Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.A to carry out several missions for enhancing regional maritime security and facilitating the cooperation with NATO allies and regional partners in the Baltic region. 

Vessels of the U.S. Navy are conducting visits in Klaipeda Seaport every two years. The last visit of a U.S Navy ship was in 2012.