Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III will depart on an overseas trip February 15 to meet with senior military and government leaders in Belgium, Poland, and Lithuania.
In Belgium, Secretary Austin will meet with Allied defense ministers and NATO leadership to discuss Russia’s military buildup in and around Ukraine, reiterate the U.S. commitment to Article 5, and continue the Alliance’s progress on deterrence and defense while ensuring the Alliance is prepared to face tomorrow’s challenges.
In Poland, he will meet with Andrzej Duda, President of the Republic of Poland, and Minister of National Defence of Poland Mariusz Błaszczak to enhance bilateral cooperation in security and deepen the Polish-American partnership, which is vital to addressing today's current threats and challenges. Secretary Austin will also meet with U.S. and Polish troops at Powidz Air Base to tour the facilities and observe the culture and conditions of our rotational presence there.
Secretary Austin will also travel to Lithuania to meet with Gitanas Nausėda, President of Lithuania, Ingrida Simonyte, Prime Minister of Lithuania, and Minister Arvydas Anušauskas, Minister for National Defence of Lithuania, to reaffirm that the United States stands with Lithuania, working together to strengthen the Lithuania armed forces and continuing to stand shoulder to shoulder against threats and adversaries to advance shared interests and values. Secretary Austin will meet jointly with Minister Anušauskas, Kalle Laanet, Minister of Defense of Estonia, and Artis Pabriks, Minister of Defense of Latvia, and will visit with U.S. Service members stationed in Lithuania.