Training in the organization of the Lithuanian Armed Forces for Ukrainian soldiers
“In order to achieve the maximum effect, we will organize military training for Ukrainian soldiers here in Lithuania in the near future,” V. Rupšys said at a press conference on Sunday.
“We are ready to train their instructors to prepare them to work with the equipment we control ourselves,” said the Commander-in-Chief.
According to V.Rupšis, this knowledge and the preparation of the Ukrainians is necessary when they are conducting military operations against Russian forces.
The inability to control part of Western technology to the present part limited the support that the West could provide to Ukraine – only weapons that soldiers would already pay for or could quickly pay for and use immediately to defend the country could be provided to Russia.
The Commander of the Armed Forces stressed that Ukraine has been fighting for security and democracy not only for its own sake but also for the whole of Europe.
The Commander of the Lithuanian Armed Forces announced a joint press conference with the Chief of the US Land Forces, General James C. McConville, about the planned training of Ukrainian soldiers.
Their pre-conference meeting discussed threats in the region, deterrence and defense needs, as well as regional defense plans and military cooperation between the two countries.
“The US message for deterrence is clearer – it is not with us sometime in the future, but today and now,” V. Rupšys emphasized.
He also noted that the United States supports the establishment of permanent bases in NATO’s eastern flank, “including Lithuania”.
“We are grateful for this position and are now making efforts to create the right conditions for such a deployment of US troops,” said the Commander of the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
He assured that what is important for Lithuania is content, not form – if the rotating forces are permanent here, it will be as good as the permanent forces.
“This is a constant presence on a rotating basis, it really does not change anything for Lithuania here in terms of security. Of course, as a Lithuanian citizen, I would like a personal base to be established here, ”said V. Rupšys.
General James C. McConville said that the establishment of such bases is currently being discussed by Lithuanian and US decision-makers, who must make a political decision on the appropriate number and deployment of forces in the Eastern Flank and NATO.
“Our decision-makers have said they will defend every inch of NATO, and now they decide what it should look like in terms of a rotating or permanent force,” he explained.
According to the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Land Forces, the military is ready to implement the will of decision-makers and has a very wide range of capabilities and capabilities.
“We believe in peace through power, and that power comes when we have strong allies and partners. Lithuania is a strong partner, “he said.