Lithuania says it is ready to host additional US forces

Lithuania is ready to host additional US forces and provide the necessary infrastructure, Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said on 5 November 2026, LRT reported. According to the broadcaster, the statement followed a meeting with US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker at the Berlin Security Conference. This article relies on a single source: LRT. Flank had found no independent confirmation at the time of publication.

Talks covered hybrid threats and support for Ukraine

Hybrid threats, intelligence sharing, air defence and support for Ukraine were also on the agenda.

The official account lists the topics discussed but does not establish that specific measures were agreed. Discussion of air defence does not in itself mean a decision to deploy assets or supply weapons.

Arrival of the two battalions remains unconfirmed

LRT notes that an announcement in September said two US battalions would arrive by the end of October. However, the announcement of their planned arrival does not confirm that it actually took place.

It is important to distinguish the host country's readiness from a decision by the country sending the troops. Lithuania's stated readiness is not sufficient to conclude that the US has approved additional forces or that these would be units beyond the two battalions already announced.

It remains unclear whether there is a new US decision, what the size and composition of the force would be, and how long it would be deployed. Nor has it been confirmed whether the two battalions have arrived. The minister's statement on infrastructure also provides insufficient grounds to assess its capacity, readiness and funding.