Lithuania Offers to Pay for Permanent US Troops as Russia Fears Mount

Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevicius said Lithuania is “ready to pay the bill” to permanently host US troops and has raised the issue with Washington, as the Baltic nation seeks to lock in American security guarantees. The offer, reported by Bloomberg, marks a significant shift in burden-sharing within NATO.

Sinkevicius did not specify the amount Lithuania would be willing to pay, but the proposal comes as NATO allies face pressure from the Trump administration to increase defense spending. Lithuania, a former Soviet republic bordering Russia, has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine and has consistently called for a stronger US military presence in the region.

The move could set a precedent for other NATO members seeking to secure US troops, potentially reshaping the alliance's funding dynamics. Russia has previously warned against NATO expansion near its borders, and the Kremlin is likely to view this development with concern. The US has not yet responded to Lithuania's offer, and it remains unclear whether Washington will accept.