The United States will phase out certain security assistance for European countries bordering Russia, according to sources familiar with the plan, a move first reported by the Financial Times and reflecting President Donald Trump’s “America First” foreign policy.
The program, which currently provides military support to nations including Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, has been approved by the U.S. Congress only through September 2026. Officials say the Trump administration has not requested an extension, signaling a shift in U.S. defense priorities.
As reported in Reuters, A White House official noted that the decision follows an Executive Order signed at the start of Trump’s second term to “reevaluate and realign United States foreign aid.” The official said the move is part of a broader effort to ensure European countries take greater responsibility for their own defense.
Regional security concerns
Russia’s war in Ukraine has intensified European concerns over regional stability and potential aggression from Moscow. Security assistance from the U.S. has been a key factor in supporting border countries against these threats.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen, top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, criticized the decision, calling it “misguided”. “It makes no sense to undercut our allies’ defense readiness while asking them to step up their own capabilities. It also puts American troops at risk by reducing the training of allied soldiers they would fight alongside,” she said.
The funding comes under the Department of Defense, and officials indicated that the adjustment has been coordinated with European partners to align with the Executive Order and Trump’s focus on reducing U.S. spending abroad.
