Joint Baltic American National Committee, Inc. (JBANC)

Washington, DC
Joined March 2009
JBANC Statement on Congressional Passage of BSI and FMF Funding 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. The BSI strengthens the defensive capabilities of the Baltic states by facilitating the transfer of U.S. defense articles to the region. The Baltic states have demonstrated their own commitment to security by spending over five percent of GDP on defense and by providing matching funds for defense articles procured through the BSI. JBANC thanks our champions in the United States Congress, including the leadership of the House Baltic Caucus—Representatives Don Bacon and Salud Carbajal—as well as members of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, including Senator Dick Durbin and Senator Chuck Grassley. We also extend our gratitude to Representatives Austin Scott and Wesley Bell for speaking on the House floor in support of the BSI. Finally, we thank all of our grassroots advocates who traveled to Washington, participated in virtual meetings, or wrote letters to their congressional offices. Advocacy is not possible without the strength and dedication of our Baltic American communities.
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No, @elonmusk, the U.S. stopped funding Ukraine last year. In fact, U.S. companies make money on American weapons for which we Europeans pay. The more you meddle in our politics and the more you play politics with your products, the more you damage your brand.
Replying to @elonmusk
And some of that US taxpayer money comes back through multiple laundry machines to fund political campaigns in America, which is why you see some politicians caring more about Ukraine than America!
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JBANC Baltics retweeted
Nearly 4, 000 Russian bombs, missiles and drones launched against Ukraine in just one week. Even as diplomatic efforts continue, Russia keeps striking Ukrainian homes, energy infrastructure and even the rescuers who come to help. Putin is showing no willingness to end his aggression. We must increase pressure on Russia and strengthen Ukraine's air defence. Military support for Ukraine must not slow down.
This past week alone, Russia has launched around 1,600 guided aerial bombs, 48 missiles of various types, including ballistic missiles, and nearly 2,300 attack drones against Ukraine. Unfortunately, almost every day, these brutal strikes leave people killed and injured. In the evening, Russian strikes on the Dnipro region killed four people. My condolences to their families and loved ones. Another 22 people were injured, including an 11-year-old girl. In Vinnytsia, a Russian drone struck a high-rise apartment building. Six people were injured. In Kharkiv, the Russians first struck a home improvement hypermarket and then carried out a cynical double-tap strike on the emergency services that arrived at the scene. First responders were injured. There were also strikes overnight on a thermal power plant, substations, coal mines, grain storage facilities, shopping malls, and a postal logistics hub. Damage has been reported in nine regions. This is how Russia responds to diplomacy and deisolation. And it is very important that support for those who protect lives not diminish alongside the negotiation process. We need to unblock the deliveries of Patriot interceptors already approved by European countries. We need to continue supporting Ukrainian combat aviation to defend against jet-powered “shaheds.” Every such defense package, especially ahead of winter, helps save lives. I thank all partners who provide this kind of support.
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This is incredible journalism. Kristen Welker just earned so much of my respect.
This is how you challenge russian propaganda. Stay calm while they lie and deflect, and keep stating the facts. Brilliant.
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Ambassador Argyros traveled to Valmiera, a regional hub for industry, innovation, and sports, to learn more about the city and its people. The Ambassador met with Mayor Jānis Baiks, thanking him for Valmiera’s longstanding partnership with the U.S. Embassy and its warm welcome to American #Fulbright participants. She also enjoyed the natural beauty of Skaņaiskalns Nature Park and visited the BMX Olympic Sports Complex, which honors two-time Olympic gold medalist and Latvian-American Māris Štrombergs. Strong U.S.-Latvian ties extend well beyond our capitals! 🇱🇻🇺🇸 #USLatvia #Valmiera #ExchangeOurWorld
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JBANC Baltics retweeted
One of the reasons the Trump administration argued it needed greater cooperation with Denmark/Greenland was to ensure non-NATO nations (Russia and China) do not grow their presence so close to American shores.
Russia would apparently get a stake in Alaska gas venture through this deal which @FT reports was discussed during recent meeting to discuss Ukraine at the Kremlin.
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The daughter of a key Russian Shahed drone producer is reportedly living comfortably in Toronto, having attended Humber Polytechnic and now working as an online influencer. Canada must sanction him and investigate her status. newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/osin…
While Russian drones strike Ukraine, the daughter of a Russian drone executive lives her best life in Toronto. 🧵 1/11 ⬇️
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JBANC Baltics retweeted
785,000 Georgians voted for groups now facing a ban. The issue is bigger than any party or politician. Democracy depends on citizens having a genuine choice—& the ability to change their government peacefully. Political competition is a democratic right, not a privilege granted by those in power.
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JBANC Baltics retweeted
When you hear all these anti-Ukraine voices on X that sound so loud and claim to speak for lots of Americans they actually speak for 3% overall and 5% of MAGA. To put that in perspective 12% think the moon landing was faked and 13% believe in Big Foot. So they’re even more fringe. Ignore them.
.@EconUS/@YouGovAmerica: In the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, who do you sympathize with more? Registered voters 🇺🇦 66% 🇷🇺 3% Dem 🇺🇦 82% 🇷🇺 1% GOP 🇺🇦 52% 🇷🇺 4% Ind 🇺🇦 64% 🇷🇺 4% Lib 🇺🇦 88% 🇷🇺 1% Mod 🇺🇦 65% 🇷🇺 2% Con 🇺🇦 52% 🇷🇺 6% MAGA 🇺🇦 50% 🇷🇺 5% Oct. 19-20, 2026
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Peace through strength is more than a principle. It is a responsibility—and one that demands action. The Treasury Department’s decision to allow Russian diesel imports undermines the bipartisan law Congress enacted in 2022 to cut off funding for Putin’s war machine. Today, alongside @RepDonBacon and @RepMGP, I introduced the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act to nullify that waiver, enforce the existing ban, and safeguard critical U.S. intelligence support for Ukraine. Not a single drop of Russian oil should enter the United States while Putin continues his brutal war against Ukraine. We cannot stand with Ukraine while opening our markets to the energy revenues fueling Russia’s aggression. Our message must be unmistakable: America stands with Ukraine. Our laws must be upheld. And aggression must carry a cost greater than its reward. 🔗Read more: fitzpatrick.house.gov/2026/1…
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JBANC Baltics retweeted
Sanctioned Russian companies will disguise their involvement as they try to infiltrate US, European, & other projects, as in this case. The USG should insist on due diligence, not muse about deals with Russia that encourage such actions. nytimes.com/2026/10/23/us/po… via @NYTimes
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JBANC Baltics retweeted
NEW!! Sen. Blumenthal is pressing Hegseth over Starshield restrictions in a letter saying a Senate panel will examine government’s reliance on SpaceX He sets a Nov. 12 deadline for a briefing by SpaceX officials familiar with the restrictions
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The Man in the Middle of Trump’s Deeply Conflicted Ukraine Policy --- CIA Director John Ratcliffe leads an agency that’s at war with Russia, even as Trump makes nice with Putin. By @shaneharris @TheAtlantic theatlantic.com/national-sec…
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JBANC Baltics retweeted
ISW: "Russian forces have suffered almost 37,000 casualties thus far in October 2026 — much higher than the 31,270 casualties for all of October 2025."
Russian forces are not winning on the battlefield, however, particularly as Ukrainian forces have stymied the planned Russian offensive to seize Donetsk Oblast. ISW has observed evidence that Russian forces suffered a net loss of 241 square kilometers of territory in Ukraine since September 1, 2026. The average rate of daily Russian advances has significantly declined since 2025, with an average of 0.25 square kilometers per day so far in 2026. Ukrainian forces have, comparatively, been contesting and seizing the operational initiative across several sectors of the frontline throughout 2026, including most recently in the Lyman direction with Ukraine’s Operation Vivaldi which liberated over 270 square kilometers of territory and thwarted the Russian military command’s plan to encircle the Fortress Belt. Russian forces are also facing mounting monthly casualties while the Russian recruitment rate continues to fall short of its loss rate. Russian forces have suffered almost 37,000 casualties thus far in October 2026 — much higher than the 31,270 casualties for all of October 2025. The Kremlin may face mounting challenges in the coming months, should Ukraine continue to contest the operational initiative and disrupt Russian offensive plans, potentially further pushing Russian commanders to urge Putin to conduct a mobilization in some form.
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President Trump and Elon Musk have slowed down the critical Starlink satellite connection so that Ukrainians are more vulnerable to Russian attacks-- even further indication that Trump wants Putin to win this war. @SenMarkKelly @SenThomTillis and I are demanding the Pentagon to restore Starshield capabilities so Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself. Not doing so is costing innocent Ukrainian lives. thehill.com/homenews/house/6…
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JBANC Baltics retweeted
The Russo-Ukraine border treaty of 2003, in force since 2094, recognizes the Donbas, Crimea, & all Ukrainian territories as of 1991 as Ukrainian. The war is about Putin’s ambition to annex some Ukrainian territory & dominate the rest.
NEW!! Rubio on Russia's war in Ukraine: "... people keep talking about it’s a war in Ukraine.  That war is about Donbas. It’s about one region of the country."
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