During his visit to the Pentagon on Wednesday, Minister of Defense Robertas Kaunas discussed the issue of troop deployment with U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby. Following the meeting, the Lithuanian minister announced that the arrival of the new American contingent is expected at the end of next month. "Preparations are currently underway, logistical decisions are being made, and two battalions will arrive in Lithuania at the end of October," said Kaunas. According to the minister, about a thousand American soldiers and officers will be stationed in Lithuania. "One battalion will be heavy, which means that heavy weaponry will also arrive, while the other battalion will be an engineering battalion that will contribute to the development of our division, as well as address border security and defense issues," noted Kaunas. It is planned that the American military will be in the country for nine months. However, the Minister of Defense suggested that the American side consider the possibility of establishing a permanent U.S. military base on Lithuanian territory. "No decisions have been made yet; it was only stated that Lithuania is considered a reliable ally," Kaunas reported.
