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Lithuanian defense officials host U.S. European Command delegation

Lithuanian defense officials hosted a U.S. European Command delegation in Vilnius, Lithuania, from May 18-19, 2023, for a bilateral engagement to discuss security cooperation, plans and support to Ukraine.

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Lithuanian defense officials hosted a U.S. European Command delegation in Vilnius, Lithuania, from May 18-19, 2023, for a bilateral engagement to discuss security cooperation, plans and support to Ukraine.

“Lithuania and the U.S. enjoy mutual trust and respect based on decades of close ties,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Vaughan, U.S. European Command’s deputy director for Plans, Strategy and Capabilities. “Lithuania remains an excellent host to our persistent, rotational U.S. military presence. We plan together, develop capabilities together, and train and exercise together. Along with our NATO Allies, we stand ready to deter aggression, counter malign influence, and defend the sovereignty of Lithuania.”

Lithuania’s Chief of Defense Staff, Maj. Gen. Mindaugas Steponavičius, hosted Vaughan and the delegation. Participants leveraged the engagement to highlight cooperation between the nations and establish closer military ties related to modernization and capabilities development.

“The military connections between the U.S. and Lithuania are closer than they have ever been and thanks to this visit we are assured that our Allies will stand beside us during any challenge that is or will be facing us,” said Maj. Gen. Mindaugas Steponavičius, chief of Lithuania's Defense Staff.

Lithuania hosts both U.S. and NATO forces as part of a regional effort to deter and defend against Russian aggression. U.S. forces also train throughout the year in Lithuania in numerous joint, combined and multilateral exercises to enhance interoperability and NATO readiness. U.S. European Command works closely with Lithuania to enhance regional military capacity across a broad spectrum of activities. This year marks the 30-year anniversary of the State Partnership Program between the Pennsylvania National Guard and Lithuania.