A new rotation of US troops is on its way to Lithuania, President Gitanas Nausėda announced, ending months of uncertainty over when American forces would return to the Baltic country, Reuters reported.
Describing the US presence as an important part of Vilnius’ defense and regional security, Nausėda said he had received confirmation that the troops were en route and thanked US President Donald Trump and his administration.
Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys welcomed the new rotation as a sign of continued US commitment to the country and NATO’s eastern flank.
The previous rotation ended in June, but the US review of its troop deployments in Europe delayed its replacement, leaving Lithuania without a US armored battalion for the first time since 2020, according to Reuters.
The US departing force arrived in the Baltic country in October 2025 and included two battalions from the 1st Cavalry Division, equipped with Abrams tanks, Bradley armored vehicles, and Paladin self-propelled howitzers.
They were the first US troops to use the new facilities at Pabradė, near the Belarus border.
Security Concerns
Lithuania has increased its defense spending amid Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Its military budget has tripled since 2022 and is projected to reach 5.4 percent of gross domestic product this year.
Concerns extend across the Baltic region.
Earlier this year, Latvian intelligence said it had seen indications that Russia might be preparing a military provocation against the Baltic states or Poland.
Its assessment pointed to possible drone strikes or other limited actions, rather than a full-scale attack.
A source from another NATO country suggested such an operation could test how the US and other allies respond to a threat against the Baltic states.