Vilnius, July 28 (ELTA) – Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said Tuesday that Lithuania’s defence planning beyond 2030 must focus not only on funding the armed forces but also on developing the country’s defence industry.

Following a meeting with President Gitanas Nausėda, Sinkevičius said Lithuania should aim to become not only a buyer of defence equipment but also a producer.

“As we look towards 2030 and beyond, we must consider how we will achieve this with our own budget resources. We must think about how to kick-start the defence industry, as this is a crucial element that is important to me personally, to the defence minister and to the president,” Sinkevičius told reporters at the Presidential Palace.

He said Lithuania should develop manufacturing capabilities so that domestically produced defence equipment could serve both national needs and be exported to NATO allies.

“We must not be just buyers, but also manufacturers, so that what we produce is not only for our own use but can also be exported and sold to NATO countries. Launching the defence industry is very important both to the president and to me personally,” Sinkevičius said.

Nausėda’s chief economic adviser, Vaidas Augustinavičius, told Žinių radijas on Tuesday that the president believes Lithuania must continue strengthening its defence capabilities as geopolitical tensions are unlikely to ease in the coming years. He said political parties should seek a broad agreement on long-term defence funding after 2030.

Augustinavičius added that though defence spending as a share of GDP remains an important NATO benchmark, the key factor is the actual amount of funding needed to develop the planned capabilities.

Vilnius, July 28 (ELTA) – The Ministry of the Economy and Innovation said Tuesday it is strengthening Lithuania’s economic partnership with Canada. Lithuanian companies are invited to participate in international research, development and innovation programmes in Canada. A total of EUR 160,000 has been allocated for this purpose, the ministry said in a press release.

“Canada is one of the world’s most advanced countries in terms of high technology and innovation, so we see great potential for expanding our bilateral cooperation. I visited Canada earlier this year and hosted Victor Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. We discussed opportunities for cooperation in exports, investment and innovation. Participation in R&D&I diplomacy programmes in Canada will enable Lithuanian companies to forge new partnerships, develop high-value products jointly and strengthen their competitiveness in international markets,” says Edvinas Grikšas, Minister of the Economy and Innovation.

Funding will be allocated to cover the costs incurred by micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as large companies, when participating in international R&D&I diplomacy programmes in Canada. This will include travel, accommodation, insurance, administrative costs, and other necessary expenses, as well as participation fees.

SMEs may be reimbursed up to 80% of eligible costs, while large enterprises may be reimbursed up to 70%. Up to EUR 20,000 in funding may be awarded to a single applicant.

Participants will be able to establish contacts within the Canadian ecosystem, assess opportunities for cooperation and seek partners for joint R&D&I projects. They will also be able to take part in targeted events and one-to-one meetings with potential partners.

Applications will be assessed based on the international novelty of the product, service or technology to be developed; the market potential; the company’s experience of carrying out R&D&I activities; the expected outcomes of the collaboration; and alignment with smart specialisation priorities.

Applications can be submitted to the Innovation Agency until 31 August this year. Further information can be found here. 

Economic cooperation between Lithuania and Canada has grown rapidly in recent years and was further strengthened during Economy Minister Grikšas’s visit to Ottawa on 23–27 April. It was the first visit by a Lithuanian economy and innovation minister to Canada since the restoration of independence.

The visit aimed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of high technology, innovation, investment and trade. This positive trend is also reflected in trade figures: last year, the volume of bilateral trade in goods and services increased by 37%, exceeding EUR 300 million for the first time.

Vilnius, July 28 (ELTA) – Minister of the Interior Martynas Katelynas met with Estonian Minister of the Interior Igor Taro on Tuesday to discuss key regional security issues, the ministry said in a statement. 

The ministers focused on Lithuanian-Estonian cooperation in the field of internal security, the protection of the European Union’s external borders, combating irregular migration, preparedness for hybrid threats, and strengthening civil protection.

Katelynas and Taro also discussed the situation at the EU’s external borders, the management of irregular migration, the challenges posed by secondary migration from Latvia, threats related to drones and airborne balloons, Lithuania’s preparations for its Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2027, and the country’s presidency priorities.

“Lithuania and Estonia face the same security challenges, particularly hybrid threats. Our response must therefore be coordinated: we need to share experience, strengthen border protection, enhance the preparedness of our institutions, and speak with one voice in the European Union. The closer the cooperation among the Baltic States, the stronger the security architecture of both our region and Europe as a whole,” Minister Katelynas said.

During the meeting, Katelynas presented the current situation along the Lithuanian-Belarusian border. Since the beginning of the migration crisis in 2021, Lithuania has prevented more than 25,500 attempts by irregular migrants to cross the state border and enter the country. 

According to the minister, while the situation at the border with Belarus has remained relatively stable in recent months, the threat of irregular migration persists. Lithuania therefore continues to invest in modern border surveillance and protection capabilities while maintaining a heightened level of preparedness.

The ministers also discussed secondary migration from Latvia. This year alone, Lithuanian authorities have apprehended more than 1,450 irregular migrants who entered Lithuania from Latvia. Lithuania has deployed its border guards to assist Latvia in protecting the EU’s external border, while emphasising that the primary responsibility for safeguarding the external border rests with each EU member state.

The discussion also covered the growing threat of airspace violations. Although drone-related incidents remain relatively rare, the number of balloons used by smugglers has increased significantly in recent years. At the same time, incidents involving unidentified flying objects have become more frequent, posing risks to critical infrastructure and public safety. Lithuania is working to strengthen its capabilities to detect and neutralize such threats and is seeking European Union funding to support these efforts.

During the visit, the Estonian delegation also travelled to the Lithuanian-Belarusian border and visited the Emergency Response Centre. The delegation received a first-hand overview of Lithuania’s border protection system and its emergency response capabilities. It is expected that such visits will facilitate the exchange of best practices and encourage practical cooperation to strengthen both countries’ resilience to today’s security challenges.

Cooperation between Lithuania and Estonia in the field of civil protection has also continued to deepen. In May this year, a delegation of experts from the Estonian Rescue Board visited Lithuania to learn about the country’s fire and rescue system, fire prevention measures, major accident management, and the training of emergency personnel. The visit was organized under an EU-funded expert exchange programme and contributed to further strengthening cooperation between the institutions of both countries.

Vilnius, July 28 (ELTA) – Tomas Mikelkevičius took office as Lithuania’s third deputy defence minister on Tuesday, the Ministry of National Defence said.

Mikelkevičius will oversee areas including total defence, civil resistance, mobilisation, crisis management and civil protection.

He has more than 25 years of experience in public security and most recently served as mobilisation affairs coordinator at the Plungė District Municipality Administration. His responsibilities included mobilisation preparedness, organising host-nation support and managing classified information.

Mikelkevičius joins the political team of Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas, which already includes deputy ministers Karolis Aleksa and Bronius Bieliauskas. Dainius Ivoškis serves as the ministry’s chancellor.

His appointment follows the departure of Tomas Godliauskas, who stepped down as deputy defence minister in early June, according to ELTA.

Vilnius, July 28 (ELTA) – ELTA Brief provides a concise overview of the key events of Tuesday, 28 July, in Lithuania and around the world.

Responding to President Gitanas Nausėda’s call for a broad political agreement on long-term defence funding beyond 2030, Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said Lithuania must consider not only financing national defence but also developing its defence industry.

The Office of the President plans to resume discussions this autumn on regulating mobile phone use in schools. Sinkevičius said international practices on restricting social media access for minors were being studied and could be considered in the future.

LITHUANIAN POLITICAL NEWS

Political parties should seek a broad agreement on long-term defence funding beyond 2030, President Gitanas Nausėda’s chief economic adviser Vaidas Augustinavičius said. He said geopolitical tensions were likely to persist in the coming years, requiring Lithuania to continue strengthening its defence capabilities. Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said that planning defence funding beyond 2030 should focus not only on financing national defence but also on developing Lithuania’s defence industry. Following a meeting with Nausėda, he said the country should aim to become not only a buyer of defence equipment but also a producer. Sinkevičius also noted that he wanted greater clarity on the Defence Ministry’s immediate procurement plans and how allocated funds were being used, saying the information should also be clearly communicated to the public.

President Gitanas Nausėda has called for resuming discussions on regulating mobile phone use in schools after a recent violent incident involving minors in Marijampolė, allegedly triggered by comments on social media. His adviser Vaidas Augustinavičius said the issue would be addressed in the autumn. Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius did not say whether he would support a ban on mobile phones in schools, but said foreign practices on restricting social media use were being studied and could be considered in the future.

Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said the government was seriously considering opting out of accepting migrants from other European Union countries and instead paying a financial solidarity contribution. He said the cabinet had not yet taken a final position on the issue and that further discussions were needed. Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas said last week that Lithuania should pay the full solidarity contribution rather than relocate asylum seekers from other EU countries. Under the EU solidarity mechanism, Lithuania has chosen a mixed approach, fulfilling half of its obligation by relocating asylum seekers and the remainder through a financial contribution. This year, Lithuania plans to accept 58 migrants and pay EUR 1.14 million.

The Lithuanian National Olympic Committee (LTOK) and the Lithuanian Paralympic Committee (LPAK) launched a long-term initiative on Tuesday, titled “What Has Sports Given Me?”, aimed at encouraging physical activity among the public. Organisers said nearly three-quarters of Lithuania’s population do not exercise enough, contributing to one of the highest rates of cardiovascular disease in the European Union. LTOK data shows that 74% of Lithuanians fail to meet the recommended level of physical activity of at least three times a week. About half of all deaths in Lithuania are linked to cardiovascular diseases, while regular exercise is considered one of the key ways to reduce the risk, the organisers said. Cardiologist Pranas Šerpytis, who joined the campaign, said regular physical activity not only strengthens the heart and blood vessels but also helps reduce stress, which has a significant impact on health.

LITHUANIAN BUSINESS NEWS

The government and President Gitanas Nausėda share the same expectation regarding faster pension indexation, Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said. However, while the president has proposed that additional funds for pension indexation in a given year amount to no less than 20% of the projected surplus in the Sodra budget, the prime minister says his government would prefer a 15% threshold. Sinkevičius said he does not rule out seeking ways to meet the president’s expectations and accelerate pension indexation in a manner consistent with the current economic situation. Meanwhile, Minister of Social Security and Labor Inga Ruginienė asserted that using a portion of the Sodra budget surplus would make it possible to increase pensions by 2–4%, and that neither the Sodra reserve nor the pension system would be adversely affected by this. The Office of the President had previously criticised the government for delaying its response to the president’s proposal to allocate no less than 20%, but no more than 75%, of Sodra’s budget surplus to pension increases. This draft law passed the Seimas submission stage last autumn.

Newly appointed State Tax Inspectorate (VMI) chief Martynas Endrijaitis said reducing the shadow economy would be one of the agency’s key strategic priorities, with a focus on improving oversight in high-risk sectors. He said sectors such as retail, construction, tourism and manufacturing had been identified as having a larger shadow economy presence, but the situation was changing, requiring the list of high-risk areas to be reviewed and updated annually. Endrijaitis said the VMI aimed to increase the effectiveness of targeted inspections by around 20 percent, strengthen cooperation with business associations and consult more closely with companies. The agency also plans to use artificial intelligence to help identify, for example, businesses generating low added value, he said. By 2030, Lithuania should move to a business-to-business e-invoicing system, with transaction data transmitted to the VMI in real time, Endrijaitis said. Such a system could eventually allow for a partial elimination of VAT returns, he added. The new VMI chief also said he wanted to expand taxpayer education and consultations and introduce legislative changes to simplify declarations of real estate, personal income tax and assets.

LAW ENFORCEMENT NEWS

Border guards turned back 20 illegal migrants at the Belarusian border after a week’s hiatus. So far this year, VSAT has blocked 977 illegal crossing attempts by foreign nationals at unauthorised locations bordering Belarus. The overall figure for 2025 was 1,652. Since the start of the migrant crisis orchestrated by Belarus in August 2021, Lithuania has thwarted more than 25.5 thousand illegal border crossing attempts.

The Prosecutor General’s Office said it was still conducting a pre-trial investigation into an alleged CIA detention facility in the country. Prosecutors have requested legal assistance from the United States, Poland, Romania and other countries, but received no significant information, spokeswoman Elena Martinonienė said. No one has been charged in connection with the investigation. The probe into a possible CIA prison in Lithuania was launched in 2010, later suspended, resumed in 2015 and in 2018 reclassified as an investigation into acts prohibited under international law. Public debate over the alleged secret detention site has recently resurfaced after the European Court of Human Rights ruled in July that Saudi national Abdul Rahim Hussein Al Nashiri, suspected of links to Al Qaeda, had been unlawfully detained at a US-run facility in Lithuania between 2005 and 2006.

FOREIGN NEWS

A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck southwestern Japan, injuring several people, collapsing buildings, sparking fires and disrupting power supplies, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said. Later on Tuesday, broadcaster NHK reported that at least 50 people were taken to hospital following the quake. Twelve houses collapsed, with people trapped under rubble in four cases but later rescued. Reports also emerged of a collapsed shopping centre, where dozens of people were feared trapped under the debris. Broadcaster TBS said many of them were feared dead. News agency Kyodo reported that one person was killed after a house collapsed. Japan’s meteorological agency initially issued a tsunami warning following the quake but later lifted it.

The United States has begun reviewing its military presence in Europe, officials from President Donald Trump’s administration said. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth informed NATO allies last month of Washington’s plans to carry out such an analysis. Deputy Defence Secretary Elbridge Colby said the review would result in “an acceleration of NATO’s transition to a stronger, more equitable, and sustainable alliance.” Trump has repeatedly criticised European allies over their response to his war in Iran, including their refusal to allow US forces to use their bases at the start of the conflict. Washington has made clear to Europe that it wants NATO members on the continent to take primary responsibility for their own conventional defence, as the United States increasingly shifts its focus towards China.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is in Washington, where he is due to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday evening. Zelensky said key issues on the agenda include strengthening Ukraine’s protection against ballistic missiles and expanding strategic cooperation with the United States. The meeting is being held behind closed doors. After talks with Trump, Zelensky is scheduled to speak with Finnish President Alexander Stubb. Later on Tuesday, he will meet US senators at the Capitol. The Ukrainian leader travelled to Washington to attend a memorial service for the late Senator Lindsey Graham, a key Ukraine supporter in Congress and author of a sanctions bill.

Vilnius, July 28 (ELTA) – Lietuvos bankas has published the balance sheet and interest rate data of the monetary financial institutions (MFI) for June 2026, which show that resident (household) deposits increased by EUR 39.2 million, or 0.1%, over the month, while interest rates on new deposits went down by 0.15 percentage points.

In June 2026, corporate (non-financial corporation) deposits decreased by EUR 211.0 million, or 1.8%, over the month, and interest rates on new corporate deposits went up by 0.18 p. p., the central bank said in a press release.

Loans to Lithuanian residents granted by credit institutions grew by EUR 443.1 million, or 2.3%, while interest rates on new loans went up by 0.21 p. p.

Loans for consumption granted to Lithuanian residents grew by 11.7%, over the month, while interest rates on new loans for consumption went up by 0.33 p. p.

Loans to Lithuanian corporations expanded by EUR 145.8 million, or 1.0%, whereas interest rates on new loans contracted by 0.14 p. p.

Deposits of Lithuanian residents with credit institutions increased by EUR 190.8 million, or 0.4%, over the month (their annual growth rate2 was 12.5%). Household deposits expanded by EUR 39.2 million, or 0.1%, while non-financial corporation deposits went down by EUR 211.0 million, or 1.8% (their annual growth rates stood at 15.2% and 8.1% respectively). 

At the end of the month, household and non-financial corporation deposits amounted to EUR 30.3 billion and EUR 11.3 billion respectively. Deposits of the general government and financial sectors expanded by EUR 346.1 million and EUR 16.4 million respectively in June 2026. At the end of the month, these deposits amounted to EUR 6.5 billion and EUR 1.4 billion respectively.

Overnight deposits of Lithuanian households held with credit institutions increased by EUR 78.8 million, or 0.4%, month on month, while those of non-financial corporations declined by EUR 233.3 million, or 2.4%. At the end of the month, the outstanding amounts of overnight deposits of these sectors stood at EUR 22.1 billion and EUR 9.4 billion respectively. 

Household deposits with agreed maturity held with credit institutions declined by EUR 35.4 million, or 0.4%, over the month, while those of non-financial corporations grew by EUR 31.5 million, or 1.8%. At the end of June 2026, the outstanding amounts of these deposits stood at EUR 7.9 billion and EUR 1.8 billion respectively.

Loans granted by credit institutions to Lithuanian residents increased by EUR 559.5 million, or 1.5%, month on month (their annual growth rate was 13.2%). Loans to Lithuanian households and non-financial corporations increased by EUR 443.1 million and EUR 145.8 million respectively, or 2.3% and 1.0% (their annual growth rates stood at 15.3% and 16.7% respectively). Loans to the general government sector grew by EUR 8.2 million, whereas those to the financial sector declined by EUR 37.6 million. At the end of June 2026, loans to these sectors amounted to EUR 19.6 billion, EUR 15.5 billion, EUR 444.3 million and EUR 1.1 billion respectively.

Loans to Lithuanian households for house purchase, other purposes and consumption granted by credit institutions rose by EUR 199.1 million, EUR 23.1 million and EUR 220.9 million or 1.3%, 1.6% and 11.7% respectively over the month. At the end of June 2026, the outstanding amounts of those loans stood at EUR 16.1 billion, EUR 1.4 billion and EUR 2.1 billion respectively (see Chart 3), while annual growth rates stood at 14.2%, 6.4% and 33.3%.

Interest rates on new loans4 granted to households by credit institutions went up by 0.21 percentage points to 5.87%. Interest rates on loans for house purchase and consumption increased by 0.08 percentage points and 0.33 percentage points respectively, while those on loans for other purposes declined by 0.32 percentage points. In June 2026, interest rates on these loans comprised 4.04%, 8.32 and 6.21% respectively.

Interest rates on new household deposits with agreed maturity held with credit institutions decreased by 0.15 percentage points month on month to 1.78%. Interest rates on deposits with agreed maturity of up to 1 month rose by 0.03 percentage points, while interest rates on deposits from 1 to 6 months, from 6 months to 1 year, from 1 to 2 years and from 2 years onwards went down by 0.08, 0.17, 0.13 and 0.13 percentage points respectively. Interest rates on these deposits comprised 1.51%, 1.59%, 2.15%, 2.47% and 2.78% respectively in June 2026.

Interest rates on new loans to non-financial corporations went down by 0.14 percentage points month on month to 4.89%. Interest rates on new loans up to EUR 1 million increased by 0.11 percentage points and those on new loans over EUR 1 million fell by 0.22 percentage points. In June 2026, interest rates on those loans stood at 4.89% and 4.90% respectively.

Interest rates on new non-financial corporation deposits with agreed maturity rose by 0.18 percentage points month on month to 2.05%. Interest rates on deposits with agreed maturity of up to 1 year increased by 0.19 p. p. and those with agreed maturity from 1 year decreased by 0.61 p. p. In June 2026, interest rates on these deposits stood at 2.06% and 1.91% respectively.

Vilnius, July 28 (ELTA) – International terminal operator AB KN Energies and Vietnam-based Indel Petro have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Hanoi to establish a framework for cooperation in energy and infrastructure projects in the country, the operator said via the Nasdaq stock exchange on Tuesday.

The agreement brings together KNE Energies’ international experience in LNG and energy infrastructure with Indel Petro’s activities across the petroleum, energy, logistics and infrastructure sectors in Vietnam.

Operating LNG infrastructures since 2014, KN Energies has developed a strong international footprint, providing LNG terminal development, commercial and technical advisory, and FSRU-related expertise across Europe, South America and Asia. Through this partnership, the company aims to share its global experience and contribute to the development of future energy infrastructure projects.

The signing of the MoU marks another step in strengthening economic cooperation between Lithuania and Vietnam, fostering new business partnerships and facilitating the exchange of knowledge and expertise between the two countries, the operator said.

Vilnius, July 28 (ELTA) – Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys met with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung in Hanoi on Tuesday.

The two discussed strengthening bilateral relations, expanding cooperation in the fields of energy, high technology, and trade, as well as issues related to security in Europe, Southeast Asia, and globally, the ministry said in a statement.

“Economic ties between Lithuania and Vietnam are shifting from traditional trade to high-value-added partnerships. Lithuanian companies are not only exporting their products but also investing in Vietnam’s digital transformation and industrial development,” Budrys said.

The minister noted that Lithuanian businesses are actively expanding their operations in Vietnam in the electronics, information technology, aviation, and food industries. Investments by Lithuanian companies are contributing to Vietnam’s digitalisation, industrial modernisation, and the creation of highly skilled jobs. At the same time, Vietnam is becoming an important gateway for Lithuanian companies to the rapidly growing markets of Southeast Asia.

The meeting focused on opportunities for Lithuanian companies to contribute to the modernization of Vietnam’s energy infrastructure. During the minister’s visit, KN Energies signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Vietnamese company Indel Petro. The companies will collaborate on developing Vietnam’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) import infrastructure. According to Minister Budrys, this partnership will help strengthen Vietnam’s energy security.

Budrys highlighted the potential of Lithuania’s digital technologies and biometric solutions. He emphasised that Lithuanian technology solutions are already contributing to the development of Vietnam’s system, and that Lithuanian companies hope to participate in new digital identity and biometric technology projects in the future.

The ministers also discussed opportunities to expand trade in agricultural and food products. Minister Le Hoai Trung promised to expedite procedures for issuing permits for the export of Lithuanian poultry, fish, and pet food products to Vietnam, as well as to continue the procedures regarding the export of beef products.

The ministers exchanged views on regional and international security issues. Budrys underlined the importance of a rules-based international order.

Lithuania and Vietnam established diplomatic relations in 1992. The embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in the Republic of Singapore is accredited to Vietnam.

Vilnius, July 28 (ELTA) – NATO’s Multinational Battlegroup Lithuania, led by Germany’s Armoured Brigade 45 “Lithuania” (Panzerbrigade 45), held an overnight deployment exercise on 26–27 July to test the movement of forces by road in a scenario where conventional rail, sea and air transport options were unavailable or limited, the military said in a statement.

As part of preparations for the upcoming rotation, the movement of military personnel and equipment from Germany via Poland to Lithuania was incorporated into a pre-planned training activity. The exercise demonstrates close cooperation among NATO Allies across Europe, enhance military mobility, and reaffirm the Alliance’s readiness to reinforce collective defence.

As part of the 20th rotation of the NATO Multinational Battlegroup Lithuania, Panzerlehrbataillon 93 (93rd Armoured Battalion) from Munster, Germany, is deploying to Rukla. 

The military convoys assigned to the NATO Multinational Battle Group that arrived in Lithuania consisted of approximately 80 units of heavy wheeled and tracked military equipment, such as tanks, armoured vehicles, and cargo vehicles. The convoy have conducted a tactical road march under its own to Kazlų Rūda. 

Such exercises allow for an assessment of the Allies’ ability to redeploy forces rapidly and flexibly under various conditions.

The German 45th Armoured Brigade “Lithuania”, stationed in Lithuania, assumed command of the NATO Multinational Battlegroup Lithuania on 4 February 2026, succeeding the Lithuanian Armed Forces’ Iron Wolf Infantry Brigade, which had commanded the battlegroup for nine years. 

Germany serves as the framework nation for the battlegroup, with rotating personnel from Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, and Croatia. Germany is one of Lithuania’s key Allies and makes a significant contribution to the security and deterrence posture of NATO’s Eastern Flank.

Vilnius, July 28 (ELTA) – Lithuania expects a decision from Washington on maintaining the presence of US troops in the country in the near future, after the latest rotation of American forces departed in June, Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said.

He added that there were currently no signs of a negative decision.

“So far, we have no new indications. We are eagerly awaiting the decision, and I hope it will not only be positive but also come soon,” Sinkevičius told reporters after a meeting with President Gitanas Nausėda on Tuesday.

In June, Conservative MP Laurynas Kasčiūnas, deputy head of the Seimas Committee on National Security and Defence (NSGK), said he had information that new US troops would arrive in Lithuania in July.

Sinkevičius said more information on the issue was expected in August.

“There have been rumours all along that it would happen by the end of July, but perhaps now we will have to push it back to August. There are no indications that anything will change; it is just that many people are on holiday, and political decisions take time,” he said.

Around 1,000 American soldiers with their equipment started leaving Lithuania in early June, after their rotation ended.

Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas previously said he had been assured by the allies that a new rotation would be deployed to the country.

President Nausėda had said the planned deployment of US troops to Lithuania could be larger than before.

US heavy battalions have been deployed to Lithuania on rotational basis since 2019.

Based on the US military data, as of April, more than 86,000 American troops were deployed in Europe, 39,000 of whom were in Germany.

Vilnius, July 28 (ELTA) – INVL Family Office, one of the largest multi-family offices in the Baltic states, has completed the offering of the Global PE Secondaries Access Fund in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, Invalda INVL said in a press release on Tuesday. The fund was launched in June this year. During the offering period, the fund raised USD 17.4 million from 49 investors. The fund’s assets will be allocated to one of the private equity secondary funds managed by US-based investment manager Adams Street Partners.

“The successful fundraising demonstrates that investors across the Baltic States are showing growing interest in global alternative investments and are seeking new opportunities to diversify their portfolios. We are seeing increasing interest in private equity secondary strategies and believe they will play an important role in investors’ portfolios in the years ahead,” says Antonas Kostinas, Fund Manager of the Global PE Secondaries Access Fund.

The private equity secondary market has emerged as an important segment of alternative investments in recent years. Through a single investment, it can offer access to established private equity portfolios and indirect exposure to over a thousand private companies worldwide.

With more than five decades of experience, Adams Street Partners is one of the world’s most experienced investment managers in the private equity secondary market. The firm manages more than USD 73 billion in assets, has invested in more than 1,300 private equity funds, serves on the advisory boards of more than 500 funds, and has been investing in the secondary market since 1986.

“The success of a private equity secondary strategy largely depends on rigorous investment selection. When choosing an investment partner, we prioritized the experience, global reach and proven ability to identify attractive investment opportunities,” Kostinas said.

The Global PE Secondaries Access Fund was established and is managed by INVL Asset Management, the leading alternative asset manager in the Baltic States. The fund units were distributed by the financial brokerage company INVL Financial Advisors, operating under the INVL Family Office brand.