McCain calls for permanent US troops in Baltics

AFP, VILNIUS: Republican Senator John McCain on Thursday called for US troops to be permanently stationed in the Baltic states as a deterrent against Russia amid regional concerns over President-elect Donald Trump’s pro-Moscow rhetoric.“I think that permanency is important, that there will always be some American troops here,” McCain told reporters in Lithuania, an EU and NATO member bordering Russia’s highly militarised Kaliningrad exclave. “Maintaining that presence is necessary to make sure that our friends here understand the United States is always with them,” he added, wrapping up a three-day tour of the Baltics with fellow Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democrat Amy Klobuchar.Mentioning Trump’s pick for Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, McCain expressed concern over his “relationship with (Russian president) Vladimir Putin” but said he will be given an “opportunity to make his case about why he is qualified”.

 

McCain calls for permanent US troops in Baltics

AFP, VILNIUS: Republican Senator John McCain on Thursday called for US troops to be permanently stationed in the Baltic states as a deterrent against Russia amid regional concerns over President-elect Donald Trumps pro-Moscow rhetoric.I think that permanency is important, that there will always be some American troops here, McCain told reporters in Lithuania, an EU and NATO member bordering Russias highly militarised Kaliningrad exclave. Maintaining that presence is necessary to make sure that our friends here understand the United States is always with them, he added, wrapping up a three-day tour of the Baltics with fellow Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democrat Amy Klobuchar.Mentioning Trumps pick for Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, McCain expressed concern over his relationship with (Russian president) Vladimir Putin but said he will be given an opportunity to make his case about why he is qualified.