Secretary Hegseth thanked the visiting ministers for their support of U.S. troops and for demonstrating leadership through action. “The United States remains fully committed to NATO, and together, we’re achieving peace through strength in Europe by setting the conditions for negotiated lasting peace in Ukraine, establishing sustainable deterrence and increasing ally capabilities and interoperability,” he said.
Hegseth underlined the growing importance of European investment in defence, noting America’s global obligations, including in the Indo-Pacific region. “Your efforts to modernize and invest in new military capabilities are critical to deterring attacks and building readiness,” he stated.
He also acknowledged the role of multinational training exercises hosted by the Baltic states in enhancing collective readiness. “I’m also glad that our deployed HIMARS have been able to help with your troops on training ahead of receiving your own HIMARS equipment,” he said.
“This cooperation accelerates our ability to defend countries with capable systems,” Hegseth added, highlighting U.S. support for the Baltic allies’ defence initiatives. The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) has become a key part of U.S.-Baltic military cooperation.
Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur emphasised the strength of the Baltic-U.S. alliance, calling the meeting “a testimony to the strong and trusted partnership.” He said, “We are allies who are willing to strengthen our common defense, and we are more than determined to continue this very close cooperation.”
Latvian Defence Minister Andris Sprūds echoed Pevkur’s remarks, stressing the need for greater military efficiency and capability. “In these challenging times, it is important that we are becoming much more efficient and lethal,” he said.
Sprūds also reiterated the significance of NATO’s collective defence clause, calling the U.S. role in Article 5 essential. Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė expressed deep appreciation for U.S. troops stationed in her country.
“Every one — every single one — of United States troops is one of our own in Lithuania, and we do deeply care about them,” she said. “We do deeply care about our friendship, and we consider them family.”
Šakalienė urged fellow NATO members to follow the Baltic lead in increasing defence spending to the 5% GDP target. She noted Lithuania’s investment in U.S.-made systems such as HIMARS, Black Hawk helicopters, Switchblade munitions, JLTVs and Javelin missiles.
Source: U.S. Department of Defense.
