(Karl-Heikki Jõks/JBANC) – 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of the tragic Great Flight (Mass Flight), being commemorated by Estonians this year. The circumstances affected not only Estonians but also Latvians and Lithuanians. In 1944, with the return of Soviet occupation to the Baltic states, hundreds of thousands of Estonians, Latvians,Continue Reading
On August 23, the Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC), the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, the embassies of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, and about 100 participants gathered on McPherson Square outside the Victims of Communism Museum in Washington, DC, to celebrate 35 years since the Baltic Way, and to commemorate Black Ribbon Day. Thirty-fiveContinue Reading
On July 23, 2024, the annual commemoration of the Welles Declaration took place in Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington, DC. The Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur and Acting Assistant Secretary of State Yuri Kim took part, together with the embassies of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. It was the 84th anniversaryContinue Reading
The National Armed Forces of Latvia and the Michigan National Guard have celebrated 31 years since the establishment of the State Partnership Program (SPP) which, alongside partnerships between the Lithuanian Armed forces and National guard of Pennsylvania, and Estonian Defence Forces and National Guard of Maryland, were amongst the firstContinue Reading
Washington, DC (JBANC) – Thirty-three members of the United States Congress have signed a letter to the House Appropriations Committee supporting $350 million in funding for the Baltic Security Initiative for the Fiscal Year 2025 defense appropriations bill. The bipartisan letter, sponsored by House Baltic Caucus co-chairs Don Bacon (R-NE)Continue Reading
The Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) commends the overwhelming passage of H.R.8035, the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024 in the United States Congress. It received significant bipartisan and bicameral support and was passed by the House of Representatives on April 20 by a vote of 311 –Continue Reading
Baltic Advocacy Days consists of meetings coordinated by the Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) between constituents and offices of the United States Congress to further the ties between the U.S. and the Baltic states. Meetings typically last approximately 20 -30 minutes with a goal of at least two-three meetingsContinue Reading
Two years have passed since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, and the Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) continues to recognize the bravery of the Ukrainian people and works towards supporting Ukraine’s ultimate victory. For ten years, Ukraine has resisted Russian imperialism and continues to fight forContinue Reading
The Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) condemns the Russian government’s murder of Alexei Navalny, a courageous Kremlin critic, anti-corruption activist, and Russian opposition leader. This disturbing case underscores Vladimir Putin’s continued erosion of human rights and the rule of law, both at home and abroad. The silencing of dissidentsContinue Reading
The Central and East European Coalition (CEEC), representing more than 20 million Americans of Central and Eastern European descent, reiterates its unequivocal support for the people of Ukraine and their ability to defend their territory. Russia’s barbaric actions not only violate human rights and the American-led rules-based order, but theyContinue Reading
