Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has “rocked the foundations of Europe and the rules-based order,” Lithuanian Protection Minister Arvydas Anusauskas informed Secretary of Protection Lloyd J. Austin III at a Pentagon assembly at this time.
Lithuania is a NATO front-line state that has been steadfast in its help for Ukraine because the Russian invasion of that nation enters its eleventh month.
Austin stated this can be a essential time for European safety and Russian forces are exhibiting deliberate cruelty in opposition to civilians with assaults on civilian infrastructure. “However [the] Ukrainian folks have responded with the unbelievable braveness that the world now is aware of so properly,” the secretary stated. “The US and our allies and our companions are deeply dedicated to supporting Ukraine because it resists Russia’s aggression and defends its proper to exist.”
Lithuania, one of many Baltic states additionally got here underneath the sway of the Soviet Union as a part of the Hitler-Stalin Pact in 1939. The US by no means acknowledged the Soviet Union’s unlawful occupation of the Baltic Republics.
“We’re grateful to Lithuania and our different allies in your essential contributions to Ukraine self-defense,” Austin stated. “We are able to all see the distinction that that is making on the bottom.”
Lithuania is offering tools and coaching for Ukrainian forces. The nation can also be modernizing its personal forces and Anusauskas introduced his nation has simply contracted for six Excessive Mobility Artillery Rocket Programs.
Lastly, Austin thanked the Lithuanian protection minister for his nation’s help for U.S. rotational troops primarily based within the nation. “The US stays dedicated to a persistent rotational power presence in Lithuania,” he stated.
Anusauskas harassed the necessity for unity in opposition to Russia. “You will need to keep our union and solidarity within the face of Russia[‘s] brutal invasion,” he stated.
Anusauskas thanked Austin for the choice to proceed rotational deployments of American troops to his nation. “We’re completely satisfied to see U.S. boots on Lithuanian soil,” he stated.
Lithuania is internet hosting the NATO Summit subsequent yr.