The decision to step up presence in the Baltic states shows the United States’ responsible view of the threats to the security of the Baltic region, Lithuania’s President Dalia Grybauskaitė says.
“By sending specific assistance and reinforcing its forces in the Baltic states, the Allies responsibly assessed the threats to our region’s security and kept their word. Joint exercises with US troops in Lithuania will step up readiness for collective defence and contribute to security of our people,” Grybauskaitė told BNS through her press service on Tuesday evening.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Pentagon said that US troops are coming to Lithuania’s neighbouring Poland for a series of exercises, which will take place in four countries in Eastern Europe to support their Allies following the annexation of the Crimean peninsula by Russia last month.
The exercises will last for about a month and involve about 600 soldiers.
A unit consisting of 150 soldiers from the assault brigade No. 173 based in Vicenza, Italy, will kick off the exercise in Poland on Wednesday.
The training will also take place in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The US troops should arrive in the Baltic states on Monday.
Source: the Lithuania Tribune
http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67056/by-sending-troops-to-baltic-states-us-viewed-threats-responsibly-lithuanias-president-201467056/