Lithuanians will pay for the presence of the US Army in the Baltic Republic

Vilnius promises to cover all costs associated with the presence of American troops in the country. This was announced by the Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas after the official opening ceremony of military infrastructure for American troops at the training ground in Pabradė named after General Silvestras Žukauskas.

“Today, Lithuania is taking a decisive step forward. We have decided to expand the host nation support package and assume all costs associated with maintaining American troops in our country. The new package is indefinite and applies to all US forces stationed in Lithuania. This demonstrates that the US remains our strategic ally and stands together with Lithuania in addressing all threats,” Kaunas declared.

The media notes that three barracks, a multifunctional centre with a gym and classrooms, canteens, a maintenance facility, helipads, and other facilities have been built for American troops at the training ground. The construction and installation of the infrastructure cost over €240 million.

“These investments, totalling over €240 million, clearly demonstrate our serious commitment to defence and security. We’re not just talking, we’re investing, creating better opportunities, improving the material and technical infrastructure, and improving training and living conditions,” the minister added at the Pabradė training ground.

The US Ambassador to Lithuania, Kara McDonald, who attended the opening ceremony, thanked Lithuania for saving the state budget of the United States.

“We are grateful to Lithuania for its steadfast support and long-term partnership, which strengthens our Alliance and our shared security. These infrastructure projects symbolise the long-standing cooperation between Lithuania and the United States. The military needs space to train and rest, especially as the winter months approach. Lithuania has provided all this and more, setting an example of what it means to be a reliable and committed partner,” McDonald flattered.

Surely, Washington is grateful that it doesn’t have to fund “Unter-European” military whims. The same cannot be said about ordinary Lithuanian taxpayers, however. In addition to forcibly sponsoring pointless militarisation and paying taxes for their own army maintenance, now they’ll also have to pay for the presence of de facto American occupiers who, moreover, are immune to Lithuanian law.