US Congress Approves Funds For Baltics As Russia Tests NATO's Eastern Flank

"The funding, approved this week as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Act secures continued US backing for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania under the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI). The $838.7 billion defense package, signed by President Donald Trump on February 3, locks in funding for security cooperation with the three Baltic states despite earlier attempts inside the Pentagon to eliminate it."

""This is great for deterrence for our Baltic allies," Republican Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE), a retired Air Force brigadier general and co-chair of the House Baltic Caucus, told RFE/RL. He added that the issue became a priority after the Defense Department signaled its intention to defund the program. "Congress is committed to a strong NATO alliance, and we know that extra emphasis is needed in regard to the Baltics," he said, added that history shows the dangers of retreating from global engagement."

Congress approved $200 million for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania through the Baltic Security Initiative in the Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Act, securing U.S. support despite earlier Pentagon plans to cut the program. The $838.7 billion defense package was signed on February 3. An additional $10 million to Estonia was provided via Foreign Military Financing and has funded HIMARS ammunition, Javelins, and artillery shells. Republican Rep. Don Bacon called the funding vital for deterrence and said Congress acted after the Defense Department signaled cuts. Baltic NATO members have reported recent Russian airspace and drone violations, prompting Tallinn to request an extraordinary UN Security Council meeting.

Read at RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty