NATO’s Baltic Members Urge US to Drop Plan for Defense Aid Cuts

The NATO's Baltic members, which include Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, have sent a joint letter to the U.S. Congress urging the government to reconsider its plan to cut funding for the European Deterrence Initiative (EDI). The EDI is a key military financing program that provides support to European nations bordering Russia, including the Baltic states. The Baltic nations expressed their concerns about the proposed cuts, which they believe would undermine the security and defense capabilities of the region. They argue that the EDI has been crucial in strengthening the NATO presence and deterring Russian aggression in the region. The letter comes as a response to the Pentagon's announcement that it plans to reduce the funding for the EDI, citing budget constraints and shifting priorities. The Baltic states have urged the U.S. Congress to maintain the current level of funding for the initiative, emphasizing its importance in ensuring the security and stability of the region.