The U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan resolution introduced by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), co-chairs of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, to celebrate 100 years of diplomatic relations with the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The resolution also reaffirms the United States’ commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) amid increasing Russian aggression in Eastern Europe.
“I’m glad the Senate supported our effort to mark 100 years of continuous diplomatic relations between Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and the United States. This milestone is significant because it shines a light on the history of these countries, which never gave up on freedom even during 50 years of occupation, and their enduring bond with the United States based on shared values. With all three Baltic allies sharing a border directly with Russia, maintaining a strong diplomatic relationship is even more important given Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Today, each Baltic country is a vibrant, free-market democracy with a bright future. I look forward to what the next 100 years holds,” Grassley said.
“By passing our bipartisan resolution, the Senate sends a clear message to our Baltic friends: we stand with you in upholding democratic values abroad,” said Durbin. “As Putin’s unprovoked war rages on, I remain steadfast in my support for the Baltic States as they work to combat Russian aggression. This resolution builds on our continued work to support the Baltics, and I look forward to the next 100 years of friendship and positive achievements between our nations.”
Grassley and Durbin previously introduced the Baltic Defense and Deterrence Act, bipartisan and bicameral legislation to effectively codify the Baltic Security Initiative effort and create a complementary initiative at the U.S. Department of State. Jointly, these two efforts will enhance and strengthen U.S. security and economic cooperation with the Baltics amid Russia’s continued aggression toward the Baltics and heightened tensions with China. Grassley and Durbin also introduced bipartisan legislation to backfill weapons, ammunition and other defense equipment provided to Ukraine by certain NATO countries to fortify NATO’s eastern flank.
Along with Grassley and Durbin, the resolution is also cosponsored by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.),Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.).
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