Baltic parliaments' speakers urge U.S. Congress not to delay support for Ukraine

RIGA - Baltic parliaments' speakers are calling on the U.S. Congress not to delay its support for Ukraine.

In an open letter to the U.S. Congress, Saeima Speaker Daiga Mierina (Greens/Farmers), Estonian Parliament President Lauri Hussar and Lithuanian Seimas Speaker Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen emphasize that Europe is taking historic steps to strengthen its defense capabilities, but this will take time - time that Ukraine does not have. The U.S. assistance is therefore of crucial importance at the moment.

"We are counting on Congress to make the right decision and approve a much-needed aid package for Ukraine. It will mean standing up to tyrants and aggressors, and protecting our collective security. The aid provided to Ukraine is an investment in our shared secure future," underline the speakers of the Baltic parliaments.

"Our joint assistance made it possible to stop the aggressor and to liberate a large part of the Ukrainian territory it had occupied. However, the direct threat from Russia continues unabated. We therefore welcome the strong leadership and commitment of the United States to preserve freedom and security in Europe as part of our common efforts," said the Baltic parliament speakers, noting that the Baltic Security Initiative was just one such example.

The Baltic parliament speakers point out that there is now a growing trend in the world toward undermining of the established order, and in Europe this is increasingly evident every day as Russia and other forces use every means at their disposal, including hybrid strikes, to destabilize the situation.

"We see it as our responsibility and our task to prevent chaos and impunity, and our countries are firmly committed to further increase our support for Ukraine and its armed forces, as we recognize this as an important contribution to our individual and collective security," the speakers of the Baltic parliaments say in the letter, stressing that all those responsible must be held accountable. "This will significantly reduce the likelihood of further conflicts and restore a sense of control and security in our people," says the letter.