The United States will conduct more military exercises with Baltic states such as Latvia and seek to provide enhanced training, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said today, the Associated Press reported.

He said that if needed, the US would send additional troops to bolster the region's defenses against any possible threat from Russia.

At a press conference with Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks, Austin said plans for a prolonged rotation of military forces in the Baltics would likely include the use of soldiers from US brigades in Romania, as well as from other parts of Europe.

"However, we can also transfer forces from the US here," he added.

Austin is the first US defense secretary to visit Latvia in three decades, underscoring the growing importance of the Baltic states on Russia's western border.

The Baltic countries are watching the Russian invasion of Ukraine and fear that they may become the next victim of aggression from Moscow.

The Pentagon specified that the last US defense minister to visit Latvia was William Perry - in 1995.

Pabriks told reporters that among his top priorities is securing more American military instructors, noting that in order to defend their country, Latvian soldiers need basic training.

He added that Latvia also needs additional financial assistance from the US to buy new military equipment and strengthen its air and coast guard.

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During the two-day meetings in the Baltic capital, just a few hours' drive from the Russian border, Austin repeatedly reaffirmed the US commitment to helping the region defend itself.

Yesterday he met with US military personnel, including members of the Security Forces Assistance Brigade, which provides training for allied troops.

Austin said today that he would seek to maintain the use of these brigades in the Baltic region going forward.

Before the press conference, Austin visited Lielvarde Military Airfield, where he and Pabriks met with American and Latvian servicemen.

In a hangar, at the bottom of which a Black Hawk helicopter could be seen, Pabrix told the American minister and the military: "If anything happens on the border, we are ready to die."

If something happens ... and Latvia's sovereign territory is questioned or contested, we will be here to work with our partners," Austin assured his Latvian counterpart and the soldiers in turn.

Latvian Prime Minister Arturs Kristianis Karins said the country is working closely with the US and increasing its defense budget in response to the looming Russian threat.

Austin's visit comes as Russia's war in Ukraine enters its sixth month, with Moscow continuing to make slow but increasing progress while facing increasing counterattacks by Ukrainian forces in Russian-occupied areas of Southern Ukraine.

Kyiv is also fighting to contain the Kremlin's forces in the industrial region of Donbas, in eastern Ukraine, BTA adds.

Lloyd Austin