Washington D.C., October 10 The Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) strongly condemns the U.S. agreement with Russia to import 300,000 tons of Russian diesel with millions more to follow. Every ton of Russian diesel sold contributes to Russia’s war effort and the continued attacks on civilians in Ukraine. In August 2026 alone, at least 372 civilians were killed and 2,349 injured in Ukraine. 

(Washington D.C., September 16, 2026) The Joint Baltic American National Committee welcomes the passage of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026.

(Washington, DC, July 24, 2026) - The Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) urges swift  congressional action on the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 (S.5025), now  advancing in the U.S. Senate, as a decisive step to strengthen U.S. leadership, reinforce transatlantic  security, and hold the Kremlin accountable for its continued war of aggression against Ukraine. 

One week after the NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye, JBANC hosted an important event in the Capitol covering the three NATO Centers of Excellence in the  Baltic countries. The introduction for this event was given by Representative Don Bacon, Co-Chair of the House Baltic Caucus. Reflecting on his upcoming retirement after a decade of service in the House, Rep. Bacon reaffirmed his ironclad support for the  countries, stating “I'll be friends for life with our Baltic allies." 

Today marks the 86th anniversary of the Welles Declaration. The statement, issued by Acting U.S. Secretary of State Sumner Welles, established the longstanding U.S. policy of non-recognition of the Soviet occupation and illegal annexation of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The anniversary is a time to reflect on the resilience of the Baltic peoples, the value of principled U.S. leadership, and the enduring freedom we share.

Washington, D.C. (JBANC)- Seventeen members of the United States Senate signed a letter to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense in support of robust funding for the Baltic Security Initiative. The letter led by Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus Co-Chairs Senator Chuck Grassley and Senator Dick Durbin, highlights the Baltic commitment to defense, “All three countries have long exceeded the NATO goal of two percent and are leading in defense expenditure nearing and exceeding 5% GDP in 2026.”

On March 17, the Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) awarded Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus Co-Chair, Senator Dick Durbin, the Baltic Freedom Award, for a lifetime of building U.S.-Baltic relations. The award was presented by JBANC Board member and Lithuanian American Council member Thomas Sadauskas.

Washington, D.C. (JBANC) - Seventy-Five members of the United States Congress signed a letter to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense supporting $300 million in funding for the Baltic Security Initiative for the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) defense appropriations bill.

This February marks four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and one year since US and Russian delegates met in Saudi Arabia to begin talking about a way to end the war.

One year later, there is no end in sight. In fact, more people are dying, more children are being kidnapped, and a kholodomor, “death by cold”, is taking place in Ukraine.

The war will end only when the threat from Russia is neutralized. That means making it clear to Putin that he will lose. After a year of appeasing Putin, it is time to substantially increase the pressure on him.

The Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) welcomes the passage on February 3 of the final Defense Appropriations bill, which provides $200 million in funding for the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI), as well as the final State and Foreign Operations bill, which allocates $10 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to each Baltic state.