Foreign Minister Tsahkna: US Senate’s indicated support for continuing the Baltic Security Initiative reflects a strong understanding of security challenges on NATO’s Eastern Flank
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna welcomed yesterday’s decision by the United States Senate to express support for the continuation of the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI) as a clear sign that Washington fully understands the security challenges faced by our region.
“The United States’ contribution to strengthening the security of the Baltic states over the years has been of immense value, enabling us to accelerate the development of several key defence capabilities,” Minister Tsahkna said. “Estonia takes its deterrence and defence posture very seriously, allocating nearly 4% of GDP to defence this year and increasing defence spending to over 5% next year. Every dollar the US invested in Estonia’s security last year was matched by Estonia with another 12 dollars to its own defence budget.”
“In the current security environment, with Russia continuing its war of aggression against Ukraine and becoming increasingly brazen in its provocations towards NATO Allies, yesterday’s positive news sends a strong signal that the United States remains committed to strengthening transatlantic security,” Tsahkna added.
Due to the specific nature of the US budget process and the workings of its bicameral legislature, yesterday’s Senate decision marks one of several key steps that could ultimately result in the approval of a dedicated allocation in the 2026 defence budget to strengthen the defence capabilities of the Baltic States.
The Baltic Security Initiative (BSI) was established in 2020 to enhance the independent defence capabilities of the Baltic States and improve interoperability between them. Through the BSI, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have collectively received $231 million in 2025, $228 million in 2024, $225 million in 2023, $180 million in 2022, and $169 million in 2021. The annual distribution of BSI funds among the Baltic States varies according to their specific capability needs.
In addition to the BSI, the Baltic States have also received security assistance over the years through the US Department of State’s Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme.
Funds provided under both the BSI and FMF programmes are used to procure US defence industry equipment, services and training. Items acquired with US security assistance include HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, equipment supporting integrated air and missile defence capabilities, communications systems, night-vision devices, ammunition – including Javelin missiles and large-calibre artillery shells – coastal surveillance radars, monitoring systems, and battlefield medical supplies.
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