Latvian defense minister Artis Pabriks said his country is ready to host American troops. 

Pabriks' remarks came during an online EU Defense Washington Forum, Voice of America reported.

The minister expressed hope the deployment of the US military in Latvia would not be carried out amid the withdrawal of part of the US troops in Germany.

According to him, they are not trying to punish the Germans and they understand that the Germans need to do more, but the presence of the US military in Germany is vital to global security.

As he noted, the US military presence in Europe should be increased, and not reduced.