COVID-19 Response: JBANC joins a Call for Utilizing Global Magnitsky Sanctions
The Joint Baltic American National Committee, Inc. (JBANC) has joined with 23 organizations in a letter calling on the Departments of State and Treasury to utilize the Global Magnitsky sanctions program to address corruption by authoritarian governments during the current pandemic. The letter recommends specific steps to assist in followingContinue Reading
Durbin, Grassley bipartisan amendment in support of Baltic states included in NDAA
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), co-chairs of the Senate Baltic Caucus, today announced that their bipartisan amendment expressing support for coordinated action to ensure the security of our Baltic allies – Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania – was included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). “EasternContinue Reading
JBANC statement on the proposed U.S. troop withdrawal from Germany
The recent Administration proposal to significantly scale back American troops in Germany by 25 percent raises several concerns. The reduction of our troops based in Germany would not only curtail the United States’ operational military presence in Europe but sends a message that the U.S. is not keeping up withContinue Reading
Facing COVID-19 crisis, the Baltic countries have remained unified and resilient
As the COVID-19 global pandemic has unfolded during the past months, there have been dramatic differences in how governments deal with the crisis. Once again, the Baltic countries have demonstrated their vigilance and creative response in the face of difficulties, highlighting the resilience of the populations and swift action byContinue Reading
CEEC Statement on the 75th Anniversary of the Elbe Meeting and the End of the Second World War in Europe
On April 25, 2020, the White House released a Joint Statement by President Donald J. Trump and President Vladimir Putin of Russia commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Meeting on the Elbe. In honor of the May 8th anniversary of the end of World War II, the CEEC objects toContinue Reading
Statement Concerning the 75th Anniversary of the Meeting on the Elbe
On April 25, 2020, the White House released a Joint Statement by President Donald J. Trump and President Vladimir Putin of Russia Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Meeting on the Elbe. In the statement, both parties highlight the “historic meeting between American and Soviet troops, who shook hands onContinue Reading
Update on Baltic Advocacy Days 2020
Dear community, friends and supporters of the Baltic cause! After careful consideration and taking into account the rapid developments regarding the COVID19 crisis in the United States, we have decided to postpone the Baltic Advocacy Days 2020 events, originally scheduled for May 8-12. However, we are actively looking into theContinue Reading
U.S. Democratic presidential candidates and the Baltics
Report prepared by Eduards Ozoliņš and Priit Grabbi. Which U.S. Democratic presidential candidate is best-suited for the interests of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania? In this breakdown, we are looking at the positions of the candidates – their previous public statements, votes, plans and actions related to the Baltics – whileContinue Reading
Baltic Advocacy Days 2020
Save the date! Following successful #Baltic Advocacy Days in 2019 and 2018, we are ready to announce the dates for the Baltic Advocacy Days in 2020, which will take place May 8-12, 2020 in Washington, D.C. Our draft schedule this year involves a broader program than the previous years (moreContinue Reading
Defense bill including support for Baltics passes House; awaits final approval
On December 11, the United States House of Representatives passed the final conference report on the Defense authorization bill by an overwhelming margin, and it now awaits final Senate action. The NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act for 2020) has key items with respect to the Baltics and deterring Russian aggression.Continue Reading