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Lithuania mandates 5% GDP defence spend, seeks permanent US troops

6/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

Lithuania must keep defence spending at least 5% of GDP under the coalition pact.
The reshuffled government also seeks a permanent U.S. troop presence in Lithuania.
Mindaugas Sinkevicius is expected to become prime minister and must boost air defences while supporting Ukraine’s EU and NATO integration.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a review of European troop deployments that could trigger withholding NATO dues from allies missing spending targets.

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Story summary

Lithuania must keep defence spending at least 5% of GDP under the coalition pact.
The reshuffled government also seeks a permanent U.S. troop presence in Lithuania.
Mindaugas Sinkevicius is expected to become prime minister and must boost air defences while supporting Ukraine’s EU and NATO integration.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a review of European troop deployments that could trigger withholding NATO dues from allies missing spending targets.