Germany is preparing to deploy approximately 5,000 soldiers to Lithuania, marking a significant expansion of its military presence on NATO’s eastern flank.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is scheduled to visit Vilnius on Monday to observe the inaugural exercises of the Bundeswehr’s newly stationed 45th Panzer Brigade.
The deployment, part of the "Freedom Shield 2026" exercise, underscores Berlin’s commitment to reinforcing the Baltic states amid ongoing security concerns in the region.
The move comes as European allies recalibrate their defense strategies following recent shifts in US commitment.
President Donald Trump recently announced the deployment of an additional 5,000 US troops to Poland, yet simultaneously confirmed a reduction in American financial contributions to NATO’s crisis response forces.
This dual approach has triggered a scramble among member states to cover the resulting funding shortfalls and ensure the alliance’s readiness.