Lithuania says new rotation of US troops is already on the way
Lithuania says a new rotation of United States troops is already heading to the country, in a move President Gitanas NausÄ—da described as important for deterrence and collective defence. The announcement comes as Lithuania continues to rely on allied military presence along NATO's eastern flank. Officials said the deployment is part of an ongoing rotation rather than a new permanent base.
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NausÄ—da said he had received confirmation that the new rotation was on its way and thanked the Trump administration for the decision. He said the US military presence in Lithuania is an indispensable part of deterrence and collective defence, and added that it matters not only for Lithuania but for the security of the wider region. Presidential adviser Deividas Matulionis said on Tuesday that the number of new US soldiers arriving would not be lower than the last deployment.
Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys also welcomed the move, calling it a powerful signal of allied unity and resolve. He said Lithuania was leading by example with 5% defence spending, strengthening national capabilities and providing training conditions for allied forces. The comments underline how closely Vilnius links the US presence to both national defence and broader NATO reassurance.
The deployment comes despite repeated threats by US President Donald Trump to reduce the American military presence in Europe, as Washington shifts more attention to the Middle East and Latin America. Lithuanian media reported in June that around 1,000 US troops had begun withdrawing from the Baltic state as their deployment ended. The latest rotation suggests that, at least for now, the US remains committed to maintaining a visible military footprint in the region.
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Lithuania's location gives the issue wider significance. The country borders Russia's Kaliningrad region and Belarus, and has been among the NATO members most exposed to the security fallout from Russia's war in Ukraine. In recent months, the Baltic states have also faced a growing number of drone and airspace incidents, adding to concerns about escalation and the need for continued allied deterrence.
What remains unclear is the exact size of the incoming rotation and when the troops will arrive in full. Officials have said only that the new deployment will not be smaller than the last one. The development will be watched closely for what it signals about future US force levels in Europe and NATO's posture on its eastern edge.
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