US Alarms Russia By Selling Lithuania Anti-Tank Missiles

By Donald Standeford, Correspondent - Follow -
Date Published: December 22, 2021 09:30PM UTC
Last Modified: December 22, 2021 09:30PM UTC

PENTAGON - Washington has alarmed Russia by approving the sale of anti-tank Javelin missiles to Lithuania, which shares a border with Russia after Russia issued demands that the US and NATO withdraw forces from eastern Europe and stop arming nations bordering Russia.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the sale to Lithuania of 230 Javelin missiles and 20 Javelin launchers amounting to $125 million.

"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a NATO ally that is an important force for ensuring peace and stability in Europe" it stated.

The DSCA said that the sale, which was approved by the State Department, will help Lithuania "long-term defense capacity to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity".