U.S. soldiers participate in the Norwegian Foot March at Pabradė Training Area, Lithuania, on May 26, 2026. Lithuania is awaiting word on whether departing U.S. troops will be replaced as the Pentagon reviews future force deployments in the region. (Max Elliott/U.S. Army)
About 1,000 U.S. soldiers began their planned redeployment from Lithuania to the United States this week as the Baltic country that borders Russia awaits word on whether replacements are on the way.
Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas, speaking to local news agencies Tuesday in Vilnius, said the departure of U.S. troops and their gear means the country will be without a substantial American contingent for the first time in years.
“The next rotation is currently under review,“ Kaunas told reporters.
Kaunas has received assurances that there will be more American troops in Lithuania at some point, but when and in what form has yet to be determined, he said.
The departure of U.S. forces relates to last month’s decision by the Pentagon to cancel the deployment of a Fort Hood, Texas-based armored brigade to Poland.
While the bulk of that force was to be positioned in Poland, elements of the brigade conduct missions in countries on NATO’s eastern flank, such as Lithuania, which has been hosting rotational Army battalions since 2019.
On May 1, the Pentagon said it was withdrawing 5,000 troops from Germany, but the majority of those forces were connected to the brigade headed to Poland.
The situation prompted backlash in Washington and concern in Warsaw. President Donald Trump then announced that rather than pulling forces out, the U.S. would add 5,000 troops to Poland.
The Pentagon has yet to detail how Trump’s directive will alter the U.S. force posture in Europe.
Kaunas said Lithuania’s status as one of NATO’s big spenders on defense on a per-capita basis has the country in good standing with the Pentagon.
“They see the investments we have made, and the percentages we have achieved in the field of defense are presented as an example to all NATO countries,” Kaunas said.
Lithuania is expected to spend about 5.4% of its gross domestic product on defense this year, one of the highest rates among NATO members.
