East Central Alabama News

U.S. Representatives Mike Rogers (R-AL) and Adam Smith (D-WA), Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, along with U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), released statements following their return from a bipartisan congressional delegation to Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Accompanying them were U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) and U.S. Representatives Dale Strong (R-AL) and Ritchie Torres (D-NY).

The delegation's discussions centered on enhancing NATO’s defense posture, including strengthening forward defenses and the U.S. presence in the Baltics and across the eastern flank. The delegation praised all four allies for their commitment to increasing their own defense capabilities and surpassing the 2% GDP defense spending target. They also addressed Russia’s hybrid attacks across Europe, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and reaffirmed U.S. support for Ukraine.

Chairman Mike Rogers stated, “As NATO contends with the most dangerous security environment in decades, it was critical for our delegation to meet with allies, like Finland and the Baltic states, that acutely understand the threat posed by the Putin regime. Additionally, these nations have demonstrated their firm commitment to bolstering their own defenses as well as helping Ukraine win. To deter future Russian aggression, the U.S. and NATO must bolster its presence across the eastern flank, including in the Baltics. I also urge our NATO allies to increase the minimum defense spending target to 3% of GDP - a milestone every Baltic state already meets. Helping Ukraine win is crucial to deter Putin, XI, and our adversaries from future aggression.”

Ranking Member Adam Smith emphasized continued support for Ukraine: “The United States must continue to stand with Ukraine to ensure they remain a sovereign, democratic country capable of defending themselves. Further, we remain committed to working with NATO and our Baltic allies to strengthen security posture in the region.”

Senator Mark Kelly highlighted regional security: “In each country, we saw firsthand the commitment of our allies to the NATO alliance... strengthening NATO’s eastern flank is essential to deterring further Russian aggression.”

During their visit, they met with senior officials from both U.S. State Department and Department of Defense in each country visited:

- In Finland: President Alexander Stubb; Permanent Secretary Esa Pulkkinen; Director General Janne Kuusela; briefings from Finland’s Coastal Brigade and Special Forces.

- In Lithuania: Defense Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas; Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis; Parliamentary Speaker Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen; Members of Parliament’s Defense and Foreign Affairs Committees; U.S troops at Pabradė Training Area.

- In Latvia: Prime Minister Evika Siliņa; Foreign Minister Baiba Braže; Defense State Secretary Aivars Puriņš; Commander of Latvian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Leonīds Kalniņš.

- In Estonia: Prime Minister Kristen Michal; Foreign Ministry Secretary General Jonatan Vseviov; Commander of Estonian Defense Forces Major General Andrus Merilo; Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur.