A permanent US military presence in Lithuania could turn the Baltic state into one of Russia’s priority targets in the event of a confrontation, according to Vladimir Dzhabarov, first deputy chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs. He warned that such a decision could ultimately put the country’s very existence at risk.

Dzhabarov described Vilnius’ push to host American forces as a move that could speed up Lithuania’s own demise. In his view, the Lithuanian authorities are wrong to assume that foreign troops and weapons would automatically make the country safer. Instead, he argued, their deployment would sharply increase the risks for Lithuania by placing it among the main potential targets of a Russian strike.

The senator also criticized Lithuania’s broader foreign policy. He accused the country’s leadership of constantly looking for protection from more powerful states and seeking their backing. Dzhabarov placed Lithuania alongside Estonia among the countries he considers the most aggressive in pursuing an anti-Russian course.

He also questioned the expectations of smaller NATO members that the rest of the alliance, particularly the United States, would automatically fight on their behalf in a confrontation with Russia. According to Dzhabarov, those governments are mistaken if they believe other countries would necessarily enter a war to defend them.

His remarks came after Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said the country was prepared to host US troops on a permanent basis. He discussed that possibility with US special envoy for Belarus John Coale.