Baltic Defense and Deterrence Act

Baltic Defense and Deterrence Act

This bill requires the Department of State to establish and implement an initiative to increase security and economic ties with the Baltic countries (i.e., Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania). The bill also requires the Department of Defense to establish and implement an initiative to deepen security cooperation with the Baltic countries.

Bill 117 HR 7290, also known as the Baltic Defense and Deterrence Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of enhancing the defense and deterrence capabilities of the Baltic states - Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The bill seeks to strengthen the security partnership between the United States and these countries, which are members of NATO and have expressed concerns about Russian aggression in the region.

The Baltic Defense and Deterrence Act includes provisions for increased military assistance to the Baltic states, including the provision of military equipment, training, and support for joint military exercises. The bill also calls for the establishment of a permanent US military presence in the region, in order to deter potential Russian aggression and enhance the security of the Baltic states.

Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong transatlantic alliance and reaffirms the United States' commitment to the collective defense of NATO member states. It also calls for increased cooperation between the United States and its Baltic allies in areas such as cybersecurity, intelligence sharing, and counterterrorism. Overall, the Baltic Defense and Deterrence Act aims to bolster the defense capabilities of the Baltic states and strengthen the security partnership between the United States and its allies in the region. The bill has received bipartisan support in Congress and is seen as a crucial step in ensuring the security and stability of the Baltic states in the face of growing Russian aggression.