In a move that has taken European officials by surprise, the United States is beginning to wind down key security assistance programs for allied militaries stationed along Russia’s border. The decision reflects former President Donald Trump’s push for Europe to shoulder more responsibility for its own defense.
According to reports, Pentagon officials recently informed European diplomats that America will no longer provide funding under Section 333, a program that trains and equips partner militaries. While already-approved funds will remain available until September 2026, the administration has chosen not to request new money from Congress.
This program has been significant. Between 2018 and 2022, Europe received around $1.6 billion, nearly a third of all global Section 333 spending. The biggest beneficiaries have been the Baltic states Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania countries seen as highly vulnerable to Russian aggression.
Diplomats described the meeting as tense and said the move left many governments scrambling for answers. Some fear the cuts could undermine NATO readiness, while others see it as a calculated strategy to push wealthier European nations to step in and fill the gap.
Trump has long argued that European countries must boost their defense spending. Earlier this year, NATO allies agreed to increase their commitments to 5% of GDP, a significant jump. However, European diplomats warn that the sudden U.S. pullback could leave frontline states dangerously exposed.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a senior Democrat on the Senate’s foreign relations committee, criticized the decision, calling it “a misguided move that sends the wrong signal as we try to deter Russian aggression.”
Meanwhile, the Pentagon has also shifted more focus to the Indo-Pacific, seeking to prepare for potential conflict scenarios involving China and Taiwan. This means European allies may find themselves carrying a larger share of the burden in defending against Moscow’s threats.
For the Baltic states, the reality is particularly stark. Losing American assistance could weaken their ability to defend themselves against cyberattacks, infrastructure sabotage, and possible military escalation. As one U.S. defense expert put it, “The whole idea was to make them capable of defending themselves. Without this, it will be very tough.”
At the same time, Trump has reassured Poland that U.S. troop rotations will continue, and even suggested the possibility of expanding America’s presence there. But for much of Europe, the broader question remains: Can Europe adapt quickly enough to secure its eastern borders without heavy reliance on U.S. funding?
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