News

On 28 October, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kristupas Vaitiekūnas met Andrew Loomis, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia.

The meeting focused on the strategic partnership between Lithuania and the United States, the regional security situation, transatlantic defence cooperation and support for Ukraine. The Vice-Minister thanked the United States for the presence of US troops in Lithuania and welcomed the arrival of a new rotation of US forces in the country.

“The US military presence in Lithuania is an indispensable element of deterring Russia and ensuring the security of our region. Lithuania is a model NATO Ally, consistently increasing its defence investment and strengthening its military capabilities. We are ready to provide the best possible conditions for US troops and to host additional US forces, including on a permanent basis,” said Vaitiekūnas.

Vice-Minister Vaitiekūnas also stressed that the strategic partnership with the United States is one of the key pillars of Lithuania’s defence modernisation. In 2026, Lithuania allocates 5.38 per cent of its GDP to defence, while around 20 per cent of the country’s defence acquisitions consist of weapons and military equipment from the United States.

The meeting also addressed the long-term threats posed by Russia and Belarus’s hostile activities in the region aimed at testing NATO’s readiness to respond. Vaitiekūnas emphasised that US engagement remains crucial to ensuring credible deterrence and the security of NATO’s eastern flank.

The Vice-Minister thanked the United States for its efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine, but stressed that Russia has not abandoned its maximalist demands and continues to carry out attacks against Ukraine’s civilian and critical infrastructure. He emphasised the need to continue increasing pressure on Russia and to ensure long-term support for Ukraine.