Lithuanian, US army chiefs discuss collective defense issues

VILNIUS - Lithuanian Chief of Defense Valdemaras Rupsys met with the United States top military officer, Charles Quinton Brown Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in the United States and discussed bilateral military relations and defense plans, the Lithuanian army said.

Lithuanian and US collective defense issues and plans, as well as the continuity of the persistent presence of US troops and military forces in Lithuania were discussed during the bilateral meeting at the Pentagon, according to the report.

The possibility of deploying other US military forces, including air, naval and other components, in Lithuania was also discussed. According to Rupsys, a well-functioning jointness of different forces is the key to success on the modern battlefield.

The Lithuanian and US army chiefs also exchanged views on the security situation and discussed support to Ukraine.

During his visit to the US, Rupsys also met with representatives of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, and the close cooperation between the Lithuanian army and the PANG, spanning three decades, was reportedly hailed as exemplary by US allies.

The meeting also focused on combat training, participation in joint exercises, US assistance in the development of Lithuania's national division element.

According to the Lithuanian army, the US is a strategic ally of Lithuania and remains the main security guarantor in the Baltic region.