On November 6-12 Vice Minister of National Defence Žilvinas Tomkus conducted a formal visit to the United States of America and met with representatives of the Pentagon defense intelligence and the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR) of the Department of State.
“Lithuanian and U.S. intelligence communities have a shared view on the Russian threat to our region. We can only welcome not just the same understanding of threats we have but also the agreement we need stronger measures to counter those threats. The persistent U.S. force presence in our region remains one of the cornerstones in our security architecture,” said Vice Minister Ž. Tomkus.
Vice Minister also met with U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict Christopher P. Maier to discuss further cooperation between the Lithuanian and the U.S. Special Operations Forces, security situation in the Baltic Sea region, and participation in international operations. Vice Minister thanked for the continuous presence of the U.S. Special Operations Forces in Lithuania since 2015 and for support to joint projects that strengthen deterrence and readiness for potential crises of Lithuania and the region.
Vice Minister also took part in a closed discussion co-organized by the Ministry of National Defence and the Atlantic Council on the security situation in the Baltic region and the Russian war in Ukraine.
The visit agenda also further includes meetings with the U.S. Department of Defense officials for Russia and Ukraine, Congressional advisers.
