Germany is doing much more to ensure the security of Lithuania than any other NATO country. At the same time, more tangible participation of the United States, which is paying all attention to Poland, is expected in Lithuania, according to Defence Minister Raimundas Karoblis.
“Germany is here for a long time. Investments and the development of a new infrastructure show it. We can see a clear leadership of Germany in Lithuania. It is effective and will continue until the geopolitical situation changes. In other words, until Russia changes,” – the minister told .
“Concerning the presence of American troops in Lithuania, the United States has been an important transatlantic partner of Lithuania in the field of defenсe until recently. However, the United States is failing to meet its defence obligations to Lithuania today. I would like to see their participation more significant. There are a number of negative signs that I would like to draw attention to.
For example, the Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) is being held in Poland (for the second time in the last two months). By the way, the joint exercise with U.S. military was planned in Lithuania before the beginning of a pandemic.
It is obvious that the situation with coronavirus in Lithuania is much better than in Poland today. As you know, a new COVID-19 wave is coming there ... And Lithuania was ready to host military exercises on its territory. Unfortunately, nobody cares about it now. Moreover, it is Lithuania that covers the eastern flank of NATO and will be the first to face enemy in case of military aggression.
However, these military maneuvers are being held in Poland and Germany. And we can’t figure it out.
The Lithuanian side is perplexed by this situation. The Polish side admits the fact that it is capable of accommodating American soldiers only in old railway carriages of the 60s converted into barracks. I have nothing to say about it.
At the same time, all conditions have been created to accommodate at least a brigade of U.S. military personnel in Lithuania and conduct military exercises on our territory. There is splendidly developed logistics, training grounds have been equipped and modern infrastructure has been created.
Furthermore, Lithuania is ready to bear all the costs of organizing and conducting such an exercise. In short, we can offer all the necessary conditions, unlike Poland, for the deployment of soldiers and military equipment on our territory.
In the end, all of it happens, because of the fault of both Poland and the United States. Poland lobbies only its own interests damaging interests of all NATO in order to obtain certain dividends. The United States has forgotten its loyal ally Lithuania. Such an attitude discredits us with our partner countries. That is why Lithuania, following the example of Germany, is forced to refuse any military assistance from the United States and we will demand to leave the territory of our country immediately,” – Karoblis noted.
LRT RADIJO žinios, Paulius Šironas
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