Pentagon Proposed Reducing US Military Presence in Baltic States – Congressman

The Pentagon proposed reducing the US military presence in the Baltic states, Republican Congressman Don Bacon voiced in an interview with the Lithuanian media outlet Delfi.

Bacon was responding to a question about the US military presence in the Baltics, following the decision to withdraw some US troops from Romania.

He noted that “some employees” of the Defense Department raised similar ideas regarding the Baltics.

“Yes, about a month ago, some Pentagon employees suggested reducing the military presence in the Baltic states and cutting military assistance. Congress categorically rejected this initiative,” the Сongressman noted.

Bacon expressed doubts that the plans are still active, “but the Pentagon is still silent.”

“So I really don’t know. But there is a strong determination in Congress to maintain the American presence and the level of financial assistance to train and support the Baltic states,” he added.

The Congressman emphasized that if Russia intends to challenge NATO, it would likely be in the Baltic states.

“If the Russians want to test NATO’s resolve, they will do it there. That is why we need a presence in the Baltic states. Provided the Baltic governments want it, we must act in agreement with all three countries. But assuming the governments want a US presence, we have to be there because it serves as a deterrent,” Bacon said.

At the end of October, the Romanian Ministry of Defense confirmed that the US would reduce its military presence on NATO’s eastern flank, including on Romanian territory, as part of a broader review of US forces in Europe.

These statements come amid growing security threats and provocations from Russia.

In early November, an FSB border guard boat flying the flag of the Wagner PMC, whose mercenaries had previously fought in Ukraine, was spotted on the Narva River, which separates Estonia and Russia.