{"id":30564,"date":"2025-07-28T00:01:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-27T21:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=30564"},"modified":"2025-07-27T22:36:33","modified_gmt":"2025-07-27T19:36:33","slug":"us-and-baltic-states-strengthen-security-cooperation-reaffirm-nato-defense-spending-commitments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/us-and-baltic-states-strengthen-security-cooperation-reaffirm-nato-defense-spending-commitments\/","title":{"rendered":"US and Baltic states strengthen security cooperation, reaffirm NATO defense spending commitments"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>4 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hosted the defense ministers of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania at the Pentagon to discuss NATO defense priorities, regional security, and transatlantic cooperation.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The meeting comes after the NATO summit in The Hague, where member states pledged to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. Hegseth described the gathering as a show of unity and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to NATO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTogether we&#8217;re achieving peace through strength in Europe by setting the conditions for negotiated lasting peace in Ukraine, establishing sustainable deterrence, and increasing ally capabilities and interoperability,\u201d he said at a joint press conference with Estonian Minister Hanno Pevkur, Latvian Minister Andris Spruds, and Lithuanian Minister Dovile Sakaliene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All three Baltic countries pledged to meet the 5% GDP defense spending goal ahead of schedule. Pevkur said Estonia will exceed 5% next year and beyond. \u201cWe will continue to push other allies to do the same so that Europe and Canada will bear a fair burden with the United States,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Defense Minister Sakaliene said Lithuania has already reached over 4% this year and will cross 5% soon. \u201cWe made a bold decision,\u201d she said, calling on other NATO allies to follow. She highlighted Lithuania\u2019s investments in U.S. defense systems, including HIMARS, Black Hawk helicopters, Switchblade munitions, and Javelin missiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"800\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Yesterday, we welcomed Minister Pevkur from Estonia, Minister Spr\u00fcds from Latvia, and Minister Sakalien\u00e9 from Lithuania to the Pentagon.<br><br>We discussed President Trump&#39;s historic success in bringing the NATO alliance together behind the 5% defense spending pledge at the Hague\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/uXBj8tmiO1\">pic.twitter.com\/uXBj8tmiO1<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SecDef\/status\/1949224352253198490?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 26, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Latvia&#8217;s Spruds said defense expenditure is taken \u201cvery seriously\u201d in Riga and added, \u201cRussia is a long-term threat. We should support Ukraine, but we fully realize it\u2019s not just about Europe. It\u2019s also about the Indo-Pacific. It\u2019s about wider global stability.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Baltic military modernization<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hegseth praised the Baltic states&#8217; investments and said their efforts were vital for deterrence. \u201cYour efforts to modernize and invest in new military capabilities are critical to deterring attacks and building readiness,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The U.S. defense secretary thanked them for hosting multinational training exercises and for working with deployed U.S. HIMARS teams to improve readiness ahead of receiving their systems. \u201cThis cooperation accelerates our ability to defend countries with capable systems,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hegseth also noted the importance of building stronger defense industrial bases across NATO to match increased spending. \u201cThe commitment by allies to 5% defense spending will make NATO stronger, more sustainable, and more lethal,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Shared responsibility and collective defense<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The defense ministers emphasized shared responsibility for European security. \u201cWhile Europe is ready to take on greater responsibility, the U.S. role in deterrence remains crucial,\u201d said Pevkur. He described the meeting as a testament to the strong and trusted partnership between the Baltic states and the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NATO-soldiers-Exercise-Resolute-Warrior.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NATO-soldiers-Exercise-Resolute-Warrior.jpg?resize=1016%2C678&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"NATO soldiers conducting field exercise Resolute Warrior\" class=\"wp-image-25855\" style=\"width:840px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NATO-soldiers-Exercise-Resolute-Warrior.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NATO-soldiers-Exercise-Resolute-Warrior.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NATO-soldiers-Exercise-Resolute-Warrior.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/NATO-soldiers-Exercise-Resolute-Warrior.jpg?resize=589%2C392&amp;ssl=1 589w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia conducted first major NATO field exercise Resolute Warrior. (Image Credit: X\/HQ Multinational Division North)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Latvian Defense Minister\u00a0Spruds said the principle of collective defense under Article 5 remains central to NATO. \u201cIn these challenging times, it is important that we become much more efficient and lethal,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sakaliene added that U.S. troops in Lithuania are seen as \u201cfamily.\u201d She called on American companies to invest in Lithuania\u2019s defense industry, noting the country offers 0% corporate tax, green corridors, and modern tech infrastructure. \u201cBoosting our defense industry is a priority,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Support for Ukraine featured prominently in the meeting. Sakaliene praised the U.S. decision to send arms to Ukraine, with NATO funding. \u201cLithuania is ready to contribute to buying Patriots for Ukraine produced by the United States,\u201d she said. Latvia and Estonia echoed the need to sustain assistance to Ukraine and counter Russia\u2019s long-term threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Broader transatlantic coordination<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the Pentagon\u2019s readout, the meeting reflected a shared strategic view of the European security environment. Hegseth reiterated that Europe must take primary responsibility for its own conventional defense, allowing the U.S. to balance commitments in the Indo-Pacific and elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The discussions at the Pentagon highlighted alignment between the Baltic states and Washington on defense investment, industrial cooperation, and military readiness. Hegseth thanked the Baltic countries for their leadership and commitment, calling them vital partners in NATO\u2019s mission.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/US-Estonia-Latvia-Lithuania-Defense-Ministers-meeting.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/US-Estonia-Latvia-Lithuania-Defense-Ministers-meeting.jpg?resize=1016%2C678&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Estonian Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkur, Latvian Minister of Defense Andris Spr\u016bds and Lithuanian Minister of Defense Dovil\u0117 \u0160akalien\u0117\" class=\"wp-image-30567\" style=\"width:840px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/US-Estonia-Latvia-Lithuania-Defense-Ministers-meeting.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/US-Estonia-Latvia-Lithuania-Defense-Ministers-meeting.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/US-Estonia-Latvia-Lithuania-Defense-Ministers-meeting.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/US-Estonia-Latvia-Lithuania-Defense-Ministers-meeting.jpg?resize=589%2C392&amp;ssl=1 589w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/US-Estonia-Latvia-Lithuania-Defense-Ministers-meeting.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth holds a quadrilateral exchange with Estonian Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkur, Latvian Minister of Defense Andris Spr\u016bds and Lithuanian Minister of Defense Dovil\u0117 \u0160akalien\u0117 at the Pentagon, on July 25, 2025. (Image Credit: U.S. DOD\/Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Aiko Bongolan)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hosted the defense ministers of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania at the Pentagon to discuss NATO defense priorities, regional security, and transatlantic cooperation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30568,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[62,1,125],"tags":[56,6,151,357,528,55,161,5,59,113,7],"class_list":["post-30564","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-europe","category-news","category-united-states","tag-baltic-states","tag-defense","tag-estonia","tag-europe","tag-himars","tag-latvia","tag-lithuania","tag-military","tag-nato","tag-security","tag-u-s"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/US-Baltic-States-Defense-Ministers.jpg?fit=690%2C370&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7jJWb-7WY","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30564","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30564"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30564\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30573,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30564\/revisions\/30573"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30568"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30564"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30564"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30564"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}