A key NATO ally with a front seat to Russian aggression says he has no doubts about America’s leadership in the transatlantic organization following a week of turmoil at the Pentagon that saw Defense Secretary Mark Esper fired and replaced by Christopher Miller.
“I didn’t see any difference from Mr. Miller’s position compared with Mark Esper’s,” Lithuanian defense minister Raimundas Karoblis told the Washington Examiner Friday, days after Esper was fired by President Trump.
“He mentioned that presently maybe some adversaries could expect maybe not change, but maybe a little weakening of the position of the United States,” Karoblis said of Miller’s comments in the bilateral meeting. “He would do everything so … that this would be a wrong assessment.”
Lithuania shares a land border with Russia and is as familiar as anyone with Russian aggression in Ukraine and military exercises in Belarus
Karoblis said firm deterrence toward Russia was not in question.
“It was the same position, the same understanding of Russia,” he told the Washington Examiner in an afternoon interview at the Lithuanian Embassy following his morning meeting with Miller. “I really don’t have any doubts.”
Miller held his first official function Friday morning, welcoming the Baltic ally to the Pentagon and making brief opening remarks that were directed as much to the U.S. as NATO allies.
“I want to assure the American public and our allies and partners that the Department of Defense remains strong and continues its vital work of protecting our homeland, our people, and our interests around the world,” Miller said.
Miller said he had already spoken to defense leaders in Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, congressional leaders including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi, and the leaders and ranking members of the House and Senate armed services committees.
Miller also said he had planned to speak to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday afternoon.
Karoblis said the message of continued U.S. leadership in NATO and Europe was clear and unwavering.
“I think he’s doing a great job to clear up these doubts,” he said. “I do not see any differences in terms of messaging.”
