Lithuanian president expects "historic" NATO decision to deploy battalions in Baltic region

Lithuanian president Dalia Grybauskaite on Thursday said she expected NATO leaders in Warsaw to approve the deployment of four multinational battalions in the Baltic States and Poland.

"If it materializes, what I really hope for, it will be a historic success which ensures the largest ever security for our country and our people," Grybauskaite said in an interview with local radio broadcaster Lrt.lt.

The head of state mentioned she already had preliminary knowledge that the decision would be approved at the NATO summit in Warsaw on July 8 and 9.

"It's time to move from additional security measures to real deterrence by military forces which includes personnel, weaponry, and clear coordination of actions," the president added.

Grybauskaite also said she expected a ground-based missile defense system operated by NATO to be based "close to the Lithuanian border" in the future as had already been launched in Romania.

"It has been launched in Romania, we hope for the same in Poland. This would mean that our region -- Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia -- will be defended from air threats as well," Lithuanian president said.

The NATO summit in Warsaw will focus on ensuring the security of NATO's eastern flank -- the Baltic States, Poland, and the Black Sea countries Romania and Bulgaria, the presidential press service said. Endit