US to cut some security funds for countries bordering Russia

5/9/2025 6:22

The United States will phase out some security assistance for European countries near the border with Russia, two sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday.



The plan comes as President Donald Trump pursues his "America First" foreign policy, in which his administration has slashed foreign aid and is pushing European countries to cover more of the cost of their own military.



It was first reported by the Financial Times. Russia's war with Ukraine has heightened concerns in Europe about regional instability and the possibility of further aggression from Moscow. Key recipients of the funding include Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.



The U.S. Congress has approved funding for the assistance plan, which comes under the Department of Defense, but only through the end of September 2026. Trump's administration has not asked that the program be extended, according to the Financial Times report and confirmed by one of the sources.