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Lithuania confirms deployment of U.S. troops

Xinhua, January 4, 2017 Adjust font size:

Lithuanian defense authorities confirmed on Tuesday U.S. troops have been deployed in the country amid deteriorating security situation in the region.

The troops from the U.S. special operations forces (SOF) have been deployed in Lithuania at the invitation of the country, the Baltic State's defense ministry told local news agency BNS. The troops are to stay in the country "as long as security situation in the region requires", says the ministry.

"The presence of the U.S. special operations forces in Lithuania is one of the deterrence measures and the form of long-term close cooperation with the U.S.," the head of the ministry's press and information department Asta Galdikaite told BNS.

According to the ministry, the SOF troops attend joint military trainings in Lithuania and in the Baltic Region to enhance interoperability and defense capabilities.

"I think that security situation in the region has worsened," the head of Lithuania's State security department (VSD) Darius Jauniskis told media on Tuesday.

Lithuania and other Baltic States have recently strengthened their defense capabilities and asked NATO allies for an increased military presence in the region, citing security threats in Eastern Europe following conflicts in eastern Ukraine.

Since 2014, around 150 U.S. troops have been rotating in Lithuania and attending joint military trainings.

In coming months, Lithuania is to receive a multinational German-led battalion with 1,000 troops as agreed by NATO leaders last year. Endit