US Approves $228 Million in Aid for Three Baltic States

The U.S. Congress has approved a bill providing $228 million in military and defense aid to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania this year as part of the Baltic Security Initiative, according to Estonia’s defense officials as of Saturday.

The U.S. government funding legislation, passed by lawmakers on Friday, includes military aid to the three Baltic countries, all NATO members and neighbors of Russia.

“Support from the U.S. has been instrumental in expediting several military infrastructure and capability development projects in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania,” stated Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur. “The increase in support from last year is encouraging.”

“This financial aid sends a clear message that the U.S., NATO’s largest ally, is dedicated to the security and stability of our region,” he added.

Established in 2020, the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI) is a program through which the U.S. Defense Department enhances military capability and interoperability among the armed forces of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

The U.S. funding focuses on bolstering air defense, maritime awareness, and land forces in the Baltic countries, said Estonia’s defense ministry. A total of $225 million has been allocated in aid under BSI to the three nations in 2023.

In December, the United States and the Baltic states agreed on a five-year defense cooperation plan aimed at guiding collaborative defense and national security efforts between the countries through 2028.