Baltic Leaders Call for Continued US Funding Amid Security Concerns
Lawmakers from Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia have urged the US Congress to maintain funding for the Baltic Security Initiative, warning that President Donald Trump’s 2026 budget proposal jeopardizes both the program and regional security. The 36 MPs highlighted their gratitude toward Washington for years of security assistance, emphasizing that this support has developed into a “robust” partnership. They articulated that the funding has played a crucial role in bolstering defense efforts and modernizing military capabilities across the Baltic states, reports 24brussels.
In a joint letter, the lawmakers stated, “We were together with you in Iraq and Afghanistan, we stand by Taiwan, Israel, and the democratic opposition in Cuba, we resist autocracies in Belarus and Russia, we fight alongside you for freedom, democracy, peace worldwide.”
The appeal follows President Trump’s 2026 budget proposal, which included no request for funding under Section 333, intended for military training and security aid abroad. Congress will deliberate on whether to reinstate the funding, which totals hundreds of millions of dollars for the Baltic nations.
The MPs further emphasized, “We have long spent above NATO’s minimum threshold for defense spending. We will continue enhancing our national resilience and civil preparedness, and we will further invest in host-nation support for US forces stationed in our country.”
The lawmakers acknowledged the “strong and successful ongoing military cooperation” between the Baltic states and the US, asserting that it enhances NATO’s capabilities and is pivotal for defending Europe’s security.
The potential funding cuts occur as Washington expects European nations to assume greater responsibility for their own security. During a NATO summit in June, European allies pledged to increase defense spending to at least 5% of GDP—a target that the Baltic states expect to exceed next year.
