Poland has taken a tough stance in the missile talks with the U.S., demanding that Washington upgrade the country's air defense systems as a condition for agreeing to station 10 interceptor missiles on its territory. Russia opposes the plans as a threat to its security and the nuclear deterrence system.
After Gates's meeting with Lithuanian Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas on Tuesday, Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said: "The Lithuanian prime minister indicated that his government was willing to consider hosting the interceptors, and for that the secretary expressed his appreciation."
"Our position remains the same: our preference is to work out a deal with the Poles. But prudent planning requires that we simultaneously look at backups, if necessary. Lithuania would geographically serve as a good alternative," the spokesman said
Ex-Soviet Lithuania joined the European Union and NATO in 2004.
Washington says interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar in the Czech Republic are needed as protection from possible attacks by "rogue" states.
State Department spokesman Tom Casey told reporters on Tuesday that the U.S. remains hopeful that a deal with Poland can be reached in the near future.
"We've had these conversations for a long time, and I think you'd see a resolution of this somewhere in the coming days. But whether that's in a week or two weeks, I'm not really in a position to say," he said.
