PM thanks US troops for their service in Lithuania

VILNIUS – Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte on Friday went to Pabrade to meet with the United States troops stationed in Lithuania and thank them for their service in strengthening the security of Lithuania and the entire Baltic region.

“The United States is Lithuania’s key ally, and the presence of US troops in our country sends a powerful message of deterrence to any potential aggressors. This underscores the genuine unity and commitment of NATO allies, demonstrating our resolute readiness to defend freedom and democracy together,” she said.

According to the prime minister, as the world faces growing security challenges, it is important to strengthen the partnership between democracies in defense of common values, and for national militaries to strengthen their cooperation, including through more frequent joint exercises, the government said in a press release.

“As our history has shown, freedom is not a given, and by investing 2.52 percent of our GDP in defense and infrastructure, we are fortifying our capabilities. However, it is the support and presence of our Allies that truly bolsters the security of Lithuania and the region,” the press release quoted Simonyte as saying.

Currently, 966 US troops are serving in Lithuania. This is the seventh continuous rotation of US forces in the country.