Lithuania "Biden Promises Military Buildup to Eastern European NATO Members"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] U.S. President Joe Biden has reportedly pledged to increase military forces to NATO member state leaders in Eastern and Central Europe. This is interpreted as a measure to strengthen the response to Russia by guaranteeing security to NATO member countries under mutual defense obligations.

According to foreign media including the Associated Press on the 9th (local time), Asta Skaisgiryt?, advisor to the President of Lithuania, stated at a press conference that "President Biden promised additional military forces to Eastern European NATO member countries and pledged to involve these countries in decisions regarding the region."

Earlier, President Biden held phone calls with leaders of NATO member countries in Central and Eastern Europe, including Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. These countries border Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, and have been suffering security concerns as Russia recently amassed large-scale troops near the eastern border of Ukraine, and Belarus engaged in conflicts involving Middle Eastern refugees near the border, escalating military tensions.

Advisor Skaisgiryt? conveyed that "President Biden emphasized that Ukraine is a sovereign country that must decide its own future, and warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that if Russia invades Ukraine, it would result in very serious consequences coordinated with European allies."

Gitanas Naus?da, President of Lithuania, also emphasized at the press conference that "he told President Biden that the permanent stationing of U.S. troops in their country is the most effective way to strengthen deterrence and security in the region."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.