The Estonian American National Council (EANC) is tracking and helping to raise the profile of a number of issues in the 117^th Congress that are of interest to the Estonian American community.  This is the second article in a series spotlighting current high-profile issues.  We hope to give our constituents useful background information and a better understanding of the relationship of each issue to Estonia and to broader regional security.  Our first issue spotlight was on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline published on March 31^st.  This week we are taking a closer look and Baltic security funding in the U.S. budget.

Baltic Security funding

The Baltic nations are subject to daily Russian strategic information operations, propaganda campaigns, airspace violations, and snap military exercises designed to undermine trust in Baltic security, foment ethnic tensions, and erode confidence in NATO’s collective defense commitments.  U.S. support for ongoing, strategic deterrence of aggression from Moscow against our Baltic allies is among EANC’s top advocacy priorities.  We are thankful that continued authorizations and appropriations of the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI), Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and the European Deterrence initiative (EDI) received strong bipartisan support last  year and will be in frequent contact with Congressional offices to promote continuation of these programs.  More information on each program follows.

Last year, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 allocated $169 million for the Baltic Security Initiative, providing funding for ongoing development of Baltic air defense and security interoperability. Investment in Baltic security and enhancements in military presence in the region fosters stronger security, economic, and social ties with our Baltic allies, and demonstrates strategic, long-term resolve to deter further Russian aggression in the region. It is crucial for the U.S. and the Baltics to closely cooperate on security issues and improve capabilities in areas such as maritime and air defense, and sharing surveillance intelligence. The Baltics are meeting their 2%-of-GDP defense spending commitments, and their combined defense budgets are approximately  $2 billion. Ongoing support from the U.S. in security assistance ensures a path to further bolster Baltic defensive capabilities. The law tasks the Departments of Defense and State to develop a multi-year strategy for the BSI, establishing long-term policy planning and defense coordination that has previously been on a year-to-year basis. The law also included $30 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF), providing grants and loans to help the Baltics purchase defense equipment produced in the U.S.

The European Deterrence Initiative (EDI) is one of the primary contributions of the United States to European security. EDI was designed as a rapid response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine and continues to serve as an example of the United States standing alongside partners and NATO allies like the Baltic countries. Since its creation in 2014, the program has grown steadily, receiving additional funding nearly each subsequent Fiscal Year to reach a peak request of just over $6.5 billion for FY 2019. EDI enhances the U.S. deterrence posture, increases the readiness and responsiveness of U.S. forces in Europe, supports the collective defense and security of NATO allies, and bolsters the security and capacity of U.S. allies and partners. This includes supporting a robust U.S. military presence in Europe, funding exercises and training, improving infrastructure to support U.S. military operational requirements, and strengthening the capacity of allies to defend themselves by enabling their full participation as operational partners.

Legislation for fiscal year 2022 authorizations and appropriations will be in process in Congress in the coming months and next year’s funding levels for these programs will become clearer as the committees working on the bills progress through the  budget cycle.  We invite Estonian Americans to contact their Members of Congress to ask that all three programs are funded in fiscal year 2022 at the 2021 levels or higher, and to make the Baltic Security Initiative a permanent authorization in the National Defense Authorization Act.

EANC appreciates the support of the Estonian American community in our grassroots advocacy mission.  Please don’t hesitate to contact Karin at [email protected] if you have any questions on these or other issues, or about how to reach out as a constituent to your Senators and Representative.