Baltic states request €500 million from EU for drone defence
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have asked the European Commission for 500 million euros in emergency funding to boost their defences against drones, citing a growing threat from Russia. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has received the letter.
The defence ministers of the three Baltic states have turned to the European Commission with a request for 500 million euros in additional funding to strengthen protection against drones. The request was reported by Finnish media, citing a letter sent on Monday to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Details of the letter were first published by the Finnish newspaper Iltalehti and later confirmed by the Estonian outlet Postimees. The letter was signed by Estonian Defence Minister Martin Herem, Latvian Defence Minister Raivis Melnis and Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas. Sources say von der Leyen has already received the letter.
Growing concern
The Baltic states justify the request for extra funding by pointing to what they describe as a heightened threat from Russia in recent months. The ministers hope the funding could be secured before the end of this year and expect a response from the European Commission within a few weeks.
The joint letter reflects a unified stance among the Baltic states on defending against drone threats, an issue that has become increasingly pressing in the region. It remains unclear when, or whether, the European Commission will issue an official response to the request.
