Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke today with his counterpart from Lithuania, Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas. Secretary Austin congratulated Minister Kasčiūnas on his recent appointment as minister and the two discussed support to Ukraine, NATO regional plans, recent progress with Lithuania's defense industrial base, and U.S. force posture in the Baltics.
Secretary Austin lauded Lithuania's strong commitment to providing security assistance and training to Ukraine and leadership of the demining capability coalition and thanked the Minister for outstanding support to U.S. and NATO rotational forces in Lithuania.