U.S. to cut security aid for European states bordering Russia, pushing NATO allies to spend more

According to the Financial Times, the United States is preparing to phase out security assistance programs for European armies stationed along Russia’s border, in a move aimed at pushing NATO allies to shoulder more of the cost of their own defense.

Pentagon officials recently informed European diplomats that Washington would stop funding initiatives that train and equip militaries in Eastern European frontline states, people familiar with the discussions said. The cuts target programs financed under Section 333 authority, which has supported European defense since 2018. Funding already approved will remain available until September 2026, but the Trump administration has not requested additional allocations.

A White House official told the FT the decision aligns with President Donald Trump’s directive to “re-evaluate and realign” foreign aid, noting that it follows his long-standing push for Europe to assume greater responsibility for its security. In June, NATO allies agreed under U.S. pressure to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP.

Between 2018 and 2022, Europe received $1.6 billion under Section 333, nearly a third of the program’s global budget. The Baltic states — Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania — were among the key beneficiaries. The drawdown could amount to hundreds of millions of dollars in lost assistance, although the Pentagon has not disclosed precise figures.

The announcement has unsettled European diplomats, with some warning of “big implications” for NATO. Governments across the continent are now scrambling to determine whether domestic funding can offset the cuts or whether they will erode critical security capabilities.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, criticized the decision as “misguided,” arguing it sends the wrong message as the West seeks to deter Russian aggression and pressure Vladimir Putin to negotiate.

The FT notes that the decision reflects broader U.S. priorities, with Pentagon officials pushing to shift resources toward the Indo-Pacific amid rising tensions with China. Other regional initiatives, including the Baltic Security Initiative created in 2020, are also under review and face an uncertain future.

While the Foreign Military Financing program, which supports large-scale purchases like fighter jets and ships, remains unaffected, experts warn the cuts will hit hardest at the frontline. “The whole idea here is making them capable of defending themselves,” said retired U.S. Admiral Mark Montgomery, calling the potential loss “very tough” for the Baltic states.

Meanwhile, Trump has sought to reassure some allies. After meeting Polish President Karol Nawrocki in Washington, he insisted U.S. troops would remain stationed in Poland and suggested their presence could even grow.