US Senator Dick Durbin, one of the strongest advocates of US-Baltic cooperation, on Tuesday criticised the Pentagon’s decision to suspend the Baltic Security Initiative and introduced amendments to the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to bolster support for the region’s security.
Durbin, a longtime supporter of the program, noted that the initiative provides US funding to the Baltic states to purchase American weapons, train special operations forces and receive intelligence support.
The Pentagon is weighing cuts to military aid for NATO countries bordering Russia, including Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, though the final decision rests with Congress.
In fiscal year 2025, under Durbin’s leadership, the initiative was allocated $231.5 million (€198 million). The senator is now pushing for $225 million (€192.45 million) in funding next year. His proposed NDAA amendments would guarantee reliable, targeted assistance to strengthen the Baltic nations’ resilience and NATO integration.
Durbin warned that ending the program would be a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
He reintroduced the Baltic Security Initiative Act in March and previously sponsored a Senate resolution highlighting the importance of the US-Baltic alliance.
According to Lithuania’s Ministry of Defence, the country has received on average about 60 million euros annually in US military aid.
The potential suspension comes as Washington reviews its global troop deployments, raising concerns that some American forces could be withdrawn from Europe. Lithuanian officials said they plan further talks with the US to prevent funding cuts but emphasised that maintaining a US military presence in the region remains their top priority.
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