The US government has agreed to provide 210 million euros ($228 million) in military aid to the three Baltic nations that border Russia.
Approved by US lawmakers on Friday, the funding aims to bolster the defense capabilities of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania amid the escalating tensions in the region.
More specifically, it will be used to fund the development of air defense systems and improve the maritime situational awareness of the three countries.
“Support from the US has significantly helped Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania fast track several military infrastructure and capability development projects,” Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said. “The good news is that the support is slightly higher than last year.”
In 2023, the US government earmarked $225 million for the Baltic states as part of the Baltic Security Initiative created in 2020.
‘A Clear Signal’
The US funding comes as tensions in the European region continue due to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius are all members of NATO, feared to be the next target of Moscow if it wins in Ukraine.
Pevkur said Washington’s financial aid sends a clear signal to adversaries that the US, which has the “most powerful military” in the world, is committed to the security and stability of the region.
In December, the US and the Baltic states agreed on a five-year road map that will see collaborations in integrated air and missile defense, maritime domain awareness, cyber, and irregular warfare.
The three Russian neighbors have also agreed to build anti-mobility defensive installations on their borders with Belarus and Russia.
