• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Budrys met with the US Ambassador to NATO: American troops on NATO's eastern flank are a key deterrent

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Updated 2025-08-26

On 26 August, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kęstutis Budrys, met with the U.S. Ambassador to NATO, Matthew G. Whitaker, who is visiting Lithuania. During the meeting they discussed the main items on the agenda of transatlantic cooperation and security policy: the security of Lithuania and the region, strengthening NATO's defence and deterrence capabilities, the presence of U.S. forces in Europe and Lithuania, and military support for Ukraine.

The Minister thanked the U.S. for its leadership in encouraging Europeans to take greater responsibility for their own security and to meet the commitment to increase defence spending, as NATO leaders agreed at the Hague summit, and to do so as soon as possible.

"Lithuania is a reliable NATO ally and takes its own and European security very seriously - this year we will increase our defence spending to 4% GDP, and to 5.25% of GDP in 2026. We are investing in the national army division, military infrastructure, and modern weaponry. Moreover, we are the largest buyer of the U.S. armaments in the Baltic States, as much as 20% of the Lithuanian defence acquisitions consist of American equipment," said Budrys.

The Minister underlined that the US is Lithuania's closest security partner. A strong transatlantic bond remains among Lithuania's foreign policy priorities. When speaking about regional security, the Minister emphasized that the U.S. forces on NATO's eastern flank, including in Lithuania, are and will remain an essential factor in ensuring peace and deterring Russia.

According to the Minister, Lithuania provides the highest level of host nation support, consistently invests in infrastructure, and is ready to accept twice the number of U.S. troops.

The meeting also focused on support for Ukraine. Budrys thanked the U.S. for the initiative launched by President Donald Trump to prioritize Ukraine's urgent needs and under which U.S. provides weapons to Ukraine.

"Concrete military support and weaponry supply is vital for Ukraine today, which also strengthens its negotiating position. Lasting peace also requires strong security guarantees - an active US engagement is crucial for Europe in fulfilling its role," the Minister said.

Budrys confirmed that Lithuania intends to participate in all initiatives that strengthen Ukraine's ability to defend itself against aggression.

Ambassador Matthew G. Whitaker is visiting Lithuania for the first time. During this visit, the U.S. delegation will also visit Pabradė, where the U.S. troops are stationed, and will travel to Rukla, where the NATO multinational battlegroup Lithuania is based.

Ambassador Matthew G. Whitaker assumed his role as the U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO on 3 April 2025.