Foreign Relations Committee Advances Durbin, Grassley Bipartisan Resolution To Celebrate 100 Years Of Diplomatic Relations Between U.S. And Baltic States
Bipartisan resolution reaffirms U.S. commitment to NATO amid Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine
WASHINGTON – The Senate Foreign Relations Committee today advanced a bipartisan resolution introduced by U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), 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.
“Not only do I have strong personal ties to the region, but the Baltic countries are essential NATO partners 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.”
“I am glad to help 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 over 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.
Durbin and Grassley 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. Durbin and Grassley also introduced bipartisan legislation to backfill defense articles provided to Ukraine during the current war by NATO countries such as the Baltics in order to fortify NATO’s eastern flank.
Along with Durbin and Grassley, the resolution is also cosponsored by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Murphy (D-CT), John Boozman (R-AR), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Mike Braun (R-IN), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), John Barrasso (R-WY), Thom Tillis (R-NC),Ted Cruz (R-TX), Chris Coons (D-DE), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).
Full text of the resolution is available here.
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