The US Department of Defense informed European countries last week that military support under the Section 333 program will be cut to zero from next fiscal year, causing concern among key recipients Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.
US Cuts Military Assistance to Eastern NATO Allies
The US Department of Defense notified European countries last week that it would be cutting military support under the Section 333 program to zero from the next fiscal year, according to the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense.
Concerns Among Key Recipients
The decision has raised concerns among key recipients including Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Lithuanian authorities are set to discuss the details of this decision with Washington.
Critical View in the Senate: A Misstep by Trump
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, criticized the cuts as “a misstep.” – This is the wrong signal when we’re trying to pressure Putin into negotiations and deter Russian aggression, she said. Meanwhile, former US Admiral Mark Montgomery said US security assistance cuts could be difficult for European countries.
Change in Department of Defense Name
In other news, on Friday, September 5, President of the United States is set to sign an executive order changing the name of the Department of Defense to “Department of War.” Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will then become “Secretary of War.” The move reflects Donald Trump’s efforts to make the US military forces more offensive and to reference the military victories of the 1st and 2nd World Wars, according to the White House.
