Lithuania is considering rotating US troops.

Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas said on June 2 that plans for the next round of US troop rotations to the country are currently under consideration, amid Washington's adjustments to its military presence in Europe.

Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas speaks at a press conference in Berlin, Germany, on January 26, 2026. Photo: AFP.

Speaking in Vilnius, Kaunas said that US forces stationed in Lithuania are withdrawing as planned, but the unit intended to replace them has not yet been deployed. He explained that the review of the rotation plan is related to changes in the US force deployment in Europe.

Lithuania's Defense Minister said he discussed the matter with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore last week. According to Kaunas, the US side confirmed that the next rotation of forces will still be deployed to Lithuania, but the specific timing, troop size, and operational capabilities of this unit have not yet been determined.

Mr. Kaunas said the US side also reaffirmed the Baltic region's importance to NATO and the US, and appreciated Lithuania's efforts to increase defense investment in recent years. If the new rotation is not implemented on schedule, it will be the first time since 2020 that Lithuania will not have a US armored battalion with approximately 1,000 troops stationed on its territory.

US soldiers participate in a military exercise in Panevezys, Lithuania, on May 6, 2025. Photo: AFP.

Lithuania has been one of the countries that has significantly increased its defense spending since 2022. The country is expected to allocate approximately 5.4% of its GDP to defense in 2026, placing it among the countries with the highest defense spending ratios in NATO.

According to the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence , the US forces present in the country, deployed since October 2025, consist of two battalions of the US 1st Cavalry Division, equipped with Abrams tanks, Bradley armored fighting vehicles, and Paladin self-propelled artillery.

These units are the first forces to be deployed at newly constructed military facilities at the Pabrade base, near the Belarusian border. This information comes as the US is reviewing its troop deployments in Europe, while NATO member states continue discussions on strengthening defense capabilities and sharing the defense burden within the alliance.

Thanh Hang

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/lithuania-dang-xem-xet-viec-luan-chuyen-binh-si-my-289774.htm