NATO unity shored up amid Russian actions: US defense chief

ANKARA

Moscow's recent actions have only served to further unite NATO, the US' defense chief said on Saturday, amid fears that some 100,000 Russian troops along Ukraine's border are poised to attack.

Speaking to reporters alongside Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis during an official visit to the capital Vilnius, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reiterated that Russia is ready to strike Ukraine, having increased its military buildup around the country, including in Belarus.

Underlining that his visit was intended to show the US commitment to NATO, Austin said: "I want everyone in Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia to know – and I want (Russian) President Putin and the Kremlin to know – that the United States stands with our allies."

Taking note of the assistance Ukraine has received from several nations amid the rising tensions, he particularly praised initiatives by Poland and Baltic countries for providing Ukraine with air-to-air and anti-tank missiles.

"Rather than sowing divisions among allies, which Mr. Putin would like to see, NATO has shored up its defense and deterrence posture," Austin added.

"Mr. Putin says he doesn't want to see a strong NATO on his western flank – that is exactly what he's getting."

Accusing Russia of deploying troops with the intention of launching an attack on Ukraine, Austin said the parties should still pursue a diplomatic solution for as long as possible.

After meeting with Landsbergis, Austin invoked NATO’s collective security article, saying on Twitter: "During our discussion, I wanted to make one thing clear above all else: our commitment under Article 5 is unwavering. An attack on one NATO ally is an attack on all."

The Baltic states of Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia – all them bordering Russia – have been NATO members since 2004.

‘US engagement in Baltics is critical’

Landsbergis, for his part, stressed that NATO has to demonstrate its deterrence against Russia.

The alliance should also show that it is ready to defend the Baltic states, Poland, and other countries in the region in case of Russian aggression, he added.

The Lithuanian foreign minister stressed that since Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, the NATO military presence in the Baltics had been fortified, saying this was an important step showing NATO's deterrence and capabilities.

"We appreciate the unwavering US commitment to the defense of the Baltics – as the security situation in our region has never been so fragile as it is now, US engagement in our region is critically important," he added.

In Vilnius, Austin also met the country's President Gitanas Nauseda and Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte.

According to local public broadcaster LRT, Simonyte conveyed to Austin her country's willingness to host more US troops.

Similarly, Nauseda asked for a permanent American military presence in Lithuania to deter Russian aggression, LRT added.

Nauseda also emphasized that, given the increased tensions in the region, the permanent rotational deployment of a US battalion in Lithuania would "strengthen deterrence," according to a press release by his office.

Later in the day, Austin also met with his Baltic state counterparts in Vilnius to discuss the principal aspects of military assistance to Ukraine, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry said on Twitter.

At the meeting, Austin gave a clear message that the US stands together with the Baltic states, the ministry added.