Lithuania expects U.S. troops to return by July, officials say

Lithuania anticipates positive developments concerning the presence of U.S. troops, with officials suggesting that American soldiers may return in July. "We don't have official news yet on how things will proceed with the American soldiers, but I can say that we will have good news. I think in July we will have Americans returning," stated Laurynas Kasčiūnas, chairman of the National Security and Defence Committee, in comments to Žinių radijas.

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we don't have official news yet on how things will proceed with the American soldiers, but I can say that we will have good news. I think in July we will have Americans returning

Kasčiūnas indicated that while troops are expected back, their overall numbers are unlikely to increase and might even see a slight reduction. "No, we won't have a larger (number)," he said, adding, "Perhaps slightly smaller (capacity). An informal decision has now been made. We should also have a certain political message. I think we will be able to announce it soon." Tomas Martinaitis, a member of the National Defence Committee, echoed these sentiments, stating, "I can say the same."

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No, we won't have a larger (number)

Over a thousand U.S. soldiers and their equipment began withdrawing from Lithuania in early June following the completion of their rotation. The specifics of who will replace them and when remain uncertain. Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas has expressed confidence from allies that new forces will arrive after the current rotation concludes. President Gitanas Nausėda and Chief of Defence Raimundas Vaikšnoras have also reported receiving very positive signals from Washington regarding the continued presence of American troops in Lithuania.

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Perhaps slightly smaller (capacity). An informal decision has now been made. We should also have a certain political message. I think we will be able to announce it soon.

Washington initiated regular troop rotations in the Baltic states and Poland four years ago, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The U.S. has committed to the continuous deployment of rotational forces in the Baltic region. Lithuania, in turn, has pledged to make every effort to provide necessary host nation support and suitable infrastructure for arriving U.S. troops. Heavy U.S. battalions have been rotating in Lithuania since 2019. As of mid-April, approximately 86,000 U.S. troops were stationed in Europe, with about 39,000 in Germany.

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I can say the same.