On October 20, 2024, the JBANC team attended the 33rd annual Baltic Unity Day held at the Lakewood Estonian House in Jackson, New Jersey. Unity Day affirms the Baltic states’ historic common struggle for re-independence and celebrates the continued vibrancy of the Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian diaspora communities. Baltic UnityContinue Reading
(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
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
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
This year’s hybrid Baltic Advocacy Days event was a success! With 44 registered participants, BAD was hosted from July 17-21 by JBANC. 25 meetings with the congressional offices of 13 different states were held in the United States Congress, both virtually and in-person. Out of all the meetings, New YorkContinue Reading
The short-lived June 23-24 Russian mutiny led by the Wagner Group’s Yevgeny Prigozhin placed the instability of Russia on full display, from the uncertain domestic military response to the coup attempt to the dissonance of Putin’s message labeling Prigozhin and Wagner as traitors. The fact remains that the Wagner GroupContinue Reading
The Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) held a congressional advocacy day on April 26 to discuss issues of critical importance related to the CEE region. Over 40 advocates from our communities in the United States came to Capitol Hill to take part in targeted meetings with over 20 keyContinue Reading
