US will suspend key security programs in Eastern Europe. The announcement already generates alarm within NATO and in the American Congress.
The decision of the administration of Donald Trump of suspend military aid to countries that share border with Russia He shook European chancellors. The programs achieved, which moved hundreds of millions of dollars a year, were a key piece in the disjection strategy against Moscow.
In the diplomatic field, the announcement left more questions than answers. While the Pentagon keeps silent, Baltic governments fear being exposed in a scenario that is already fragile. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, with limited defense budgets, depended on those funds for infrastructure and military training.
In parallel, in Washington There is no clarity either. Legislators of both parties ensure that The Defense Department did not explain how the cuts will be executednor what specific programs will be frozen. Some fear that the maneuver opens the door to a “reprogramming” of resources, that is, to redirect money approved by Congress towards other priorities.
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The US worries NATO
The measure lit alarms within the NATO. European officials recognize that the signal sent to Moscow could be interpreted as a Loss of Washington’s commitment With the defense of the eastern flank. It is not a minor issue: since 2018, the Baltic Security Initiative It had become the American support symbol in the region.
In the US congress there is also noise. The Senate Assignments Committee had approved 225 million dollars to strengthen the Balticalthough the law still expects treatment in the plenary. However, the White House has already suggested that these funds could not reach destination.
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The background of the play is linked to the idea of redirecting resources towards the China containment in the Pacific and reinforce internal security. Voices close to Pentagon admit that “you cannot be everywhere at the same time” and that strategic attention should turn to Asia.
Even so, the scenario is confusing. Trump guaranteed Poland that the American troops will continue in their territory, but did not make the same promise for the Baltic. This ambiguity reflects an unpredictable turn that puts European trust in check.
Source: Ambito
