By Markuss Kozlinskis
Last week, the Baltic States received alarming reports from Washington, DC, with outlets like The Financial Times and The Washington Post stating that the Trump administration intends to halt long-time security assistance programs for Europe.
Among the potentially suspended programs is also the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI) – a U.S. security assistance program that provides additional funds for various existing capability projects in the Baltics, such as Integrated Air and Missile Defence, Cyber Defence, and Resilience to Hybrid Attacks. BSI is aimed at (1) closing military gaps in the defensive capabilities of the Baltic states region, as identified by the U.S. government, and (2) increasing interoperability among allies in the region. Over the past three years, Congress has appropriated $231M (FY25), $228M (FY24), and $225M (FY23) for this initiative. These funds remain available until October 2026, amid uncertainty about whether new BSI funding will ever follow.
Responses from the Baltic States
Nevertheless, with the uncertain fate of BSI, the Baltic States have remained cautiously optimistic. While acknowledging that European countries were indeed informed by the U.S. Department of War on the planned budget cuts, Lithuania’s Defence Ministry’s Policy Director Vaidotas Urbelis underlined that Vilnius has not yet received formal written notification of such cuts, emphasizing that current signals from Washington remain informal and that the practical outcome will only be clear once Congress adopts the budget and the President signs it. [MK1]
Estonia has struck a similar tone. In response to the possible cuts, Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur underscored that the final decision on the matter ultimately rests with the U.S. Congress, which has traditionally supported the Baltics. Pevkur also notes that U.S. military assistance has significantly strengthened Estonia’s capabilities – enabling the procurement of systems such as HIMARS and Javelins. However, due to the Estonian commitment to spend 5% of GDP on defence from 2026 to 2029, the minister states that U.S. military aid now carries symbolic rather than decisive value, demonstrating allied commitment.
After a call with the Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio, Latvia’s response on the matter was delivered by Foreign Minister Baiba Braže. She stressed that reports of cuts stemmed from media leaks rather than official communication, noting that while U.S. defense funding is under review, Congress has already shown support for continuing the BSI. JBANC followed these developments, with the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee (SAC-D) including $225 million towards the BSI with a further $35 million for air and missile defense for FY26. Further, the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) has moved to authorize the BSI as an amendment in the NDAA. Braže also emphasized that U.S. military assistance is not a charity but a Baltic investment in the American economy, while Rubio reaffirmed in a bilateral call that the Baltic security remains a U.S. priority. Lastly, the foreign minister added that BSI funding remains available until October 2026 and that in the meantime, Latvian diplomats and other officials will continue active efforts to secure its extension.
Baltic Security Initiative: A Benefit to Both Sides
As the Baltic states await a concrete U.S. decision on future BSI funding, it is important to stress that the initiative has never been a one-sided benefit. While it strengthens Baltic defenses, it also delivers clear and direct advantages to the United States. In the meeting on Capitol Hill, JBANC has consistently highlighted three compelling reasons why BSI serves U.S. national interests:
- By supporting BSI, Congress not only strengthens NATO’s eastern flank but also supports American jobs and manufacturing. As already noted by the Foreign Minister Baiba Braže, this initiative does not give the Baltic states a blank check. Instead, the money is managed by the U.S. government in coordination with military experts (EUCOM), who identify specific defense gaps. Procurements are then made through American defense companies, meaning the funds remain in the U.S. economy while enhancing allied capabilities abroad.
- Moreover, the initiative also directly advances U.S. national security by strengthening deterrence against Russian aggression. By helping the Baltic states bolster their defenses now, the U.S. reduces the likelihood of a direct military confrontation that could trigger Article 5 and require American troops on the ground. In short, investing in prevention today is not only more strategic – it’s significantly less costly, both in terms of lives and resources, than responding to a crisis later.
- As stated by Secretary of State and national security advisor Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, the Baltic states are the model allies for the U.S. More specifically, Baltic States invest heavily in their own defense (each allocating over 3% of GDP to military spending in FY25), consistently support NATO operations, host U.S. forces, and offer advanced infrastructure, training environments, and strategic expertise. Additionally, the Baltics are among Ukraine’s strongest supporters by share of GDP, with active contributions from both governments and civil societies. Their role in European security makes continued U.S. support both strategic and essential.
The arguments outlined above are not only central to policy discussions in Washington but can also serve as key talking points for Baltic Americans when reaching out to their representatives and senators in Congress. For a more detailed set of talking points and background information on U.S.-Baltic relations, JBANC provides a full advocacy guide upon request.