Blinken: NATO looking at permanent troop deployments in Baltic region

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is looking at more permanent troop deployments in the Baltic region in Russia’s backyard.

Blinken made the remarks on Monday during a joint press conference with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis in Lithuania.

Blinken told reporters that the Western military alliance is “looking at questions of more permanent deployments,” to the Baltic region when asked whether the US will send troops to the region permanently to protect NATO members. 

“We’re continuously reviewing within NATO our defense posture, including looking at questions of extending the deployment of forces, looking at questions of more permanent deployments,” Blinken said.

“All of that is under regular review, and we’re engaged with NATO Allies in doing just that,” he added.

The top US diplomat emphasized that “When it comes to NATO, the line is very clear,” pointing to article five of the US-led military alliance.

“If there is any aggression anywhere on NATO territory, on NATO countries, we the United States, all of our allies and partners, will take action to defend every inch of NATO territory,” Blinken said. “It’s as clear and direct as that.”

Addressing Blinken, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda warned that "Russia's reckless aggression" could lead to a "third world war.”

"Deterrence is no longer enough and we need forward defence here in place because otherwise, it will be too late here, Mr Secretary. Putin will not stop in Ukraine if he will not be stopped," Nauseda said.

The US deployed six fighter jets to the Baltic region and the Black Sea late last month to boost NATO’s aggressive stance after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a “special military operation” in Ukraine’s Donbas region to “defend people” subjected to "genocide" there against government forces, stressing that Moscow has “no plans to occupy Ukrainian territory.”

US President Joe Biden called the Russian action an "unprovoked and unjustified attack," and the American media described it as the biggest assault on a European state since World War Two assault by Russia.

The United States also deployed thousands of additional troops to Poland, Germany and Romania.

Blinken is currently traveling through Europe to meet with NATO allies and other European partners amid the Ukraine conflict.

On Sunday, Blinken said the United States had given "the green light" to Poland to send fighter jets to Ukraine.

MG