The US intends to gradually wind down security assistance programs for European armies located along the border with Russia to shift the burden of these expenses to Europe, writes Financial Times citing informed sources. According to the publication, last week Pentagon representatives informed European diplomats that Washington will no longer fund projects for training and equipping armies in the region. The decision will affect countries that "will be on the front line in any potential conflict with Russia".
The funds are approved by Congress and funding is currently allocated until the end of September 2026, but after that, Trump's administration plans not to request it anymore, FT's sources claim.
From 2018 to 2022, $1.6 billion was allocated for military assistance programs in Europe—about 29% of all Washington's foreign defense aid expenditures during this period. The key recipients were Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, the publication specifies, citing the US Government Accountability Office.
A White House official told the publication that this move aligns with Trump's efforts to "review and redistribute" US foreign aid.