US reassures Baltic nations amid warning Russia is 'poised to strike'
The US Secretary of Defense has assured Baltic nations they will not be on their own if faced with security threats from Russia.
Speaking on a trip to Lithuania, Lloyd Austin stopped short of promising a permanent deployment of American troops in the former Soviet republics.
It comes as Western officials have warned that Moscow could invade Ukraine at any time, which Russia denies planning, following a massive Russian troop build-up near the country's border.
Speaking about the Russian position, Mr Austin said: "They are uncoiling and are now poised to strike."
There are concerns among Lithuanian officials that Russian President Putin's alleged ambitions could expand to the entire region.
The country's foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said during a joint news conference with Mr Austin: "The battle for Ukraine is a battle for Europe. If Putin is not stopped there, he will go further.
Watch: Putin will see 'a stronger NATO on his flank', US Secretary of Defense says.
"They are choosing the way that is based on force. We need to send a very clear and unambiguous message that it would be faced by a very clear and swift response."
The Baltic nations of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia joined NATO on the same day in March 2004, and the alliance operates under the principle that an attack on one member nation is an attack on them all.
Lithuania, a nation of 2.8 million, borders Russian ally Belarus and Russia's Kaliningrad exclave.
Mr Austin said: "I want everyone in Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia to know – and I want President Putin and the Kremlin to know – that the United States of America stands with our allies."
He also met with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte and the defence ministers of Latvia and Estonia on his two-day visit to Lithuania.
Watch: The UK troops deploying in response to Russia's military build-up.
Mr Nauseda asked Washington for a permanent deployment of a rotating battalion in the Baltics, emphasising that the situation in eastern Europe continues to deteriorate.
"Russia's military build-up on NATO's eastern border changes the overall security situation," he said.
"Therefore, the decision to reinforce security in the region with additional troops from the United States and to accelerate collaboration on military acquisitions is critical."
American battlegroups of around 500 soldiers and armoured vehicles have been on rotational deployment since 2019.
Mr Austin did not comment on the request to deploy permanent military units in Lithuania, Latvia, or Estonia.
"I do not have any announcements to make today," he said. "We will continue to assess situations and consult with our allies and make any necessary adjustments."
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