Lithuania and Poland have officially announced their readiness to host additional US troops, seeking to maintain American influence in the region. Leadership in both countries stated they would welcome U.S. military personnel on their territory.
Lithuanian President’s Statement: US Troops in Europe
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda told reporters that keeping Washington’s attention on Eastern Europe is essential for global security. He said European NATO allies must ensure the U.S. does not shift its focus away from the continent. Nausėda stated that troops potentially withdrawn from Germany should remain in Europe.
The Lithuanian head of state confirmed that the country is prepared to accept additional allied forces during any global rotation. Nausėda noted that Lithuania expects the arrival of 5,000 German troops by the end of 2027. Currently, more than 1,000 U.S. soldiers are stationed in the country. The president said Vilnius can host more allied troops and is committed to meeting all requirements for preparing military infrastructure.
Poland in Direct Talks with Washington
Polish leadership is taking similar steps. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski noted that 10,000 U.S. troops—equivalent to two heavy brigades—are already stationed in Poland. He stated that the Polish government would be glad to see more American soldiers, regardless of where they are relocated from.
“We believe the status of forces agreement is beneficial for the U.S. because we support their presence, allocating $15,000 per soldier. We invite them here, where a real threat exists 250 km away,” Sikorski said.
Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed on May 6 that Warsaw is in substantive negotiations with the United States regarding the retention and expansion of the American contingent in Poland.
Diplomatic efforts are being supported by high-level contacts. Polish President Karol Nawrocki held a telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump. A key topic of the call was the future of the American military presence in European countries.
NEWSROOM IN notes: U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed the withdrawal of part of the American contingent from Germany and mentioned potential reductions in Italy and Spain.
Preliminary reports indicate the reduction will primarily affect a U.S. Army mechanized brigade currently stationed in Vilseck, Bavaria. The Pentagon has ordered the withdrawal of approximately 5,000 troops. Trump stated the reduction would be “much more than 5,000.”
Pentagon data shows that approximately 68,000 U.S. military personnel were permanently stationed in Europe at the end of 2025, with 36,400 of them in Germany. Before the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1985 and the end of the Cold War, approximately 250,000 American soldiers were stationed in West Germany.