Durbin Joins Gallego In Urging Trump Administration To Continue Baltic Security Initiative

Durbin Joins Gallego In Urging Trump Administration To Continue Baltic Security Initiative

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, today joined U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) to send a letter to the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth criticizing recent suggestions that the Trump Administration plans to terminate longstanding U.S. security assistance programs in Europe, including the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI) and Section 333 funding. Concerns that such a decision is being considered is even more troubling given recent Russian drone incursions in NATO's eastern flank airspace.

"This decision makes America less safe, hurts American companies, and is a critical betrayal of commitments to our allies," the Senators wrote.

BSI plays a critical role in bolstering defenses on NATO's Eastern Flank, including maritime awareness, ammunition stocks, anti-tank systems, and special operations readiness in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Section 333 provides military training, equipment, and intelligence support to partner states. These programs are vital deterrents against Russian aggression.

The Senators noted that President Trump reaffirmed U.S. support for NATO allies at this summer's NATO Summit, where member nations agreed to double defense spending targets in response to Russia's aggression.

"The decision to end BSI and other Eastern Flank security initiatives directly contradicts the President's message, sending an alarming signal not only to our Baltic and NATO allies but also to global adversaries," the Senators continued. "By withdrawing this critical assistance, America would broadcast to Russia and China that it is unwilling to stand by its allies, including those it is legally required to defend under Article 5 of NATO should an invasion occur."

In addition, the decision to suspend BSI and phase out Section 333 funding for Europe is a clear contradiction of congressional directives. Durbin has repeatedly backed support for the Baltics, including securing $231.5 million in defense appropriations funding for BSI in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. Durbin also fought to include $225 million for BSI in the FY26 Defense appropriations bill passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee in August and filed an amendment to the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act to formally authorize the program.

"These provisions reflect a clear congressional mandate to sustain and expand U.S. security cooperation in the Baltic region," the Senators continued. "The decision to end BSI and other programs with no consultation of Congress is only the latest of a string of attempts to both circumvent Congress and directly contradict the President's priorities for Europe, including Secretary Hegseth's outrageous attempt to pause critical weapons shipments to beleaguered Ukrainian allies without informing President Trump."

"The security of the U.S. and its allies rests on meeting the strategic and legal commitments we make as an alliance. Weakening these foundations only emboldens adversaries in what is the most dangerous strategic environment in recent history. We urge you to immediately reverse course," the Senators concluded.

Joining Durbin and Gallego in sending the letter were U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD).

Read the full letter HERE.

In March, Durbin introduced the Baltic Security Initiative Act, bipartisan legislation to effectively codify the BSI effort, which will enhance and strengthen U.S. security cooperation with the Baltics amid an increase of Russian hybrid attacks in the Baltics and across Europe, and Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.

Last Congress, Durbin introduced a resolution recognizing the importance of the alliance between the United States and the Baltic States.

In 2022, Durbin traveled to Vilnius, Lithuania, where he received the Aleksandras Stulginskis Star Award-only the second individual and first American to receive this award. It was granted to Durbin forhis decades-long support of Lithuanian independence and democracy and his promotion of parliamentary values. He was in Vilnius almost three years ago on the morning Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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