U.S. troops to stay longer in Lithuania, defence minister says
PABRADE, Lithuania (Reuters) - A new contingent of U.S. troops and armour will be deployed in Lithuania in November but their presence is not linked to the situation in neighbouring Belarus, Lithuania’s defence minister said on Tuesday.
Belarus has undergone six weeks of protests since a contested Aug. 9 election which President Alexander Lukashenko said he won.
Since then, Lukashenko has accused NATO of a buildup near its borders, begun military drills near the borders with Lithuania and Poland, and put half his army on the highest state of readiness.