Trump cuts military aid to Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia
Photo: Donald Trump, President of the United States (Getty Images)
The United States intends to reassess its priorities for military aid to the Baltic states, raising concerns among European diplomats and security experts, according to a publication by the Reuters news agency.
At the end of August, Pentagon representatives told European diplomats of plans to scale back security support for Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. Official David Baker stressed that Europe must reduce its dependence on the United States, while American forces will focus on defending US territory.
European reaction and potential risks
European diplomats expressed concern that reduced support could be interpreted by the Kremlin as a signal to step up aggression. Recent incidents, including Russian drones violating Polish airspace and MiG-31 flights over Estonia, have added to the anxiety.
White House and domestic priorities
President Donald Trump has in recent weeks increasingly focused on domestic issues, particularly crime, while playing a smaller role in diplomatic initiatives. Some experts believe the president has chosen to delegate responsibility to allies while limiting US assistance to a minimum.
Expert assessment
Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment, noted that Trump avoids active involvement in international conflicts unless he is confident of gaining political capital.
At the same time, some US weapons continue to reach Ukraine through the PURL initiative, but analysts fear that Washington’s muted response to Russian provocations could embolden further aggression by the Kremlin.
The cutback in aid to the Baltic states and Washington’s shift toward domestic priorities are creating additional uncertainty for regional security. European countries are now forced to strike a balance between strengthening their own defense capabilities and maintaining hope for allied support.
Tensions between Israel and Egypt are rising, with Jerusalem increasingly alarmed over developments in the Sinai Peninsula, viewing Cairo’s actions as a potential breach of the 1979 peace treaty.
Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin is reportedly intent on continuing attacks on Ukraine’s energy and critical infrastructure, convinced that Donald Trump will not actively intervene in the conflict.
