May 30th, 2026 - Lithuania Welcomes German Troops as Security Fears Rise Near Russia

Lithuania is welcoming the permanent deployment of thousands of German troops as fears grow about possible Russian aggression. Germany’s 45th Armored Brigade, expected to reach 4,800 soldiers by 2027, is the first full German battle brigade permanently based abroad since World War II.

For many Lithuanians, the deployment is seen as a major security guarantee. Lithuania has a small army and borders both the Russian territory of Kaliningrad and Belarus, a close Russian ally, making the country feel especially exposed.

The warm reception marks a striking shift given Lithuania’s painful history under Nazi occupation. But today, many Lithuanians view Germany as part of a democratic Europe, while Russia’s war in Ukraine has revived fears of Moscow’s power and intentions.

German soldiers say they have been surprised by the friendliness they have encountered in Vilnius, with residents thanking them, offering discounts and treating their presence as reassurance. For Lithuania, the troops are not a reminder of the past so much as a visible promise of protection in the present.

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster) - Unctuous (adj, UNK-chuh-wus) - Unctuous is a word that’s undergone change in recent years. It now often describes food that is fatty and oily, especially in a pleasing way. Formerly it was more typically applied as a formal adjective describing someone who is figuratively oily—that is, overly or insincerely flattering. Both uses can be found today.

Example: Braising chicken thighs with their skins on creates a rich, unctuous sauce that can be spooned back over the finished dish.

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