Washington – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Co-Chairs of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, along with U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), Co-Chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, and U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) met with ambassadors to the U.S. from various NATO partner countries.
During the meeting, they discussed the increase in Russian hybrid attacks in the Baltics and across Europe, and the need to strengthen the NATO alliance as the U.S. prepares for a new Administration. The meeting comes not long after Finland seized a Russian shadow fleet ship suspected of destroying an energy cable linking Estonia and Finland, and growing evidence of Russian arson, assassination, malign cyber activities, and sabotage on NATO soil.
The Senators met with Estonian Deputy Chief of Mission Inga Bowden; Finnish Ambassador Leena-Kaisa Mikkola; Latvian Ambassador Elita Kuzma; Lithuanian Ambassador Audra Plepytė; and Polish Chargé d’affaires Bogdan Klich.
“Not only do I have strong personal ties to the region, but the Baltic countries are essential NATO partners in upholding democratic values and transatlantic security,” said Durbin. “The nations whose diplomats we met with today are among Ukraine’s staunchest supporters—and the United States must continue to do its part to stand alongside them. As we prepare for a new Administration, we must remain steadfast in the need to strengthen the NATO alliance and in our support for the Baltic States as they work to combat increasing Russian aggression around the region.”
“Today’s meeting reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering support for NATO’s eastern flank, as well as their valiant efforts to defend against ongoing Russian aggression. As Co-Chair of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, I’m committed to strengthening the United States’ friendship with our European allies, and look forward to our nations’ continued partnership,” said Grassley.
“Today’s meeting with our NATO allies underscores the importance of maintaining strong relationships with our allies, especially as we face unprecedented challenges posed by Russia’s aggression,” said Tillis. “As the war in Ukraine continues to threaten European security, it’s critical that we remain united in our commitment to NATO’s shared values. Our discussions with the representatives from Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland reaffirm that a united front is essential for countering growing threats and responding to a changing security landscape across Europe.”
Last Congress, Durbin and Grassley introduced a resolution recognizing the importance of the alliance between the United States and the Baltic States.
Over the years, Durbin and Grassley have introduced the Baltic Security Initiative Act, bipartisan and bicameral legislation to codify the Baltic Security Initiative, which enhances and strengthens U.S. security cooperation with the Baltics amid Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine and heightened tensions with China.
In 2022, Durbin traveled to Vilnius, Lithuania, where he received the Aleksandras Stulginskis Star Award—only the second individual and first American to receive this award. It was granted to Durbin for his decades-long support of Lithuanian independence and democracy and his promotion of parliamentary values. He was in Vilnius almost three years ago on the morning Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
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