Key facts
- Lithuania will seek a long-term, uninterrupted presence of U.S. military units.
- Poland has approved steps to host a permanent U.S. military base.
- The U.S. Department of Defense is reviewing troop deployments in Europe.
- NATO allies have agreed to modernize the alliance's nuclear capabilities.
- Belgium, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands are pledging F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.
- The EU Council has initiated limited diplomatic contact with the Kremlin.
- Germany is urging the U.S. to coordinate military capability reduction plans in Europe.
- The U.S. Defense Secretary announced a six-month review of American troop deployments in Europe.
- Around 10 countries support the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL).
Lithuania's incoming coalition government plans to request a long-term, uninterrupted presence of U.S. military units within its borders. This request stems from Lithuania's view of a sustained U.S. military presence as a crucial element for deterring Russia and Belarus. This initiative coincides with the U.S. Department of Defense's ongoing review of its troop deployments across Europe.
In parallel, Poland has approved steps to establish a permanent U.S. military base on its territory. The U.S. Department of Defense has indicated openness to this proposal. These moves reflect an increased allied military presence on NATO's eastern flank, a response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Broader discussions within NATO are also underway, with allies agreeing to modernize the alliance's nuclear capabilities and enhance its nuclear planning capacity. This decision by the Nuclear Planning Group occurs amidst heightened geopolitical tensions and ongoing debates about NATO's nuclear posture. Concurrently, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands have announced new military aid packages for Ukraine, which include F-16 fighter jets. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that approximately 10 countries support the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) in anticipation of a NATO defense ministers' meeting.
On the diplomatic front, the European Council has initiated limited diplomatic contact with the Kremlin to establish communication channels, according to an EU official. This diplomatic outreach occurs as Ukraine conducts major drone attacks and ahead of an EU summit scheduled to discuss Ukraine's potential membership. Germany has also called for enhanced coordination with the United States regarding plans for reducing military capabilities within Europe, advocating for a more synchronized approach to such adjustments.