Baltic states request 500 million in EU emergency funding to counter Russian drone threats
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have requested €500 million in emergency funding from the European Commission to bolster drone defenses amid rising threats from Russia, according to Finnish and Estonian media reports.
The Baltic defense ministers—Estonia’s Martin Herem, Latvia’s Raivis Melnis and Lithuania’s Robertas Kaunas—sent a joint letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday, Finnish newspaper Iltalehti and Estonian outlet Postimees reported. The letter, which von der Leyen has received, underscores an increased Russian threat in recent months, the sources said.
The Baltic states hope the funding can be allocated this year and are seeking a response from the Commission within weeks, according to Iltalehti’s sources .
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