Washington. December 14th. INTERFAX - At a time when Lithuania is forced to resist threats in connection with the policies of Belarus and Russia, as well as pressure from China after the opening of Taiwan's representative office in Lithuania, Washington is ready to provide military support to Vilnius, Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin said.
"But Lithuania does not face these challenges alone. For decades, US and Lithuanian military personnel have stood shoulder to shoulder against common threats and adversaries, working together to advance our common interests and values," the Pentagon quoted Austin as saying at a meeting in Washington with Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anushauskas.
Austin said that "today the United States is again supporting Lithuania, and we will continue to work together to strengthen the Lithuanian Armed Forces."
He said he was "especially glad" that the parties were signing an agreement on mutual defense procurement. This, according to him, "will improve the conditions for the purchase of defense goods and increase the compatibility" of weapons of the armies of the two countries
The Lithuanian minister, for his part, said that Lithuania highly appreciates the support of the United States, and the presence of American troops in Lithuania in the United States "is extremely important now that we see Russia deploying its troops on the border with Ukraine," and expressed hope that this support will be permanent.
He said that "dictators" from Russia, Belarus and China "will test us again and again."
