The us Congress has approved a $ 2.3 trillion draft budget that provides $ 168.7 million (€ 138.2 million) in military aid to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in 2021.
For the first time, finances are allocated within the framework of the new "Baltic Security Initiative", writes err.ee.
"The decision of the US Congress shows that our main ally is committed to protecting our region and understands the threats that exist here. We appreciate this and are ready to further develop valuable and consistent cooperation with the United States at all levels. The decision of the Congress confirms that the United States considers Estonia and the other Baltic states as reliable allies, which also take responsibility for their own defense, invest heavily in the development of their defense capabilities and contribute to international operations together with their allies," said Estonian Defense Minister Juri Luik.
According to Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu, this decision is a positive and real result of the special long-term relations between Estonia and the United States. Our Embassy in Washington also played an important role in achieving this, and it has done a great job to ensure that the Baltic States have a strong place in the annual defense activities of the United States.