Baltic Speakers Back Supporting Ukraine Amid US Debate on Aid
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Parliamentary speakers from Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia express solidarity with Ukraine amid Russian aggression. They emphasize the importance of continued U.S. support for Ukraine, as it holds significant implications for the Indo-Pacific region. The speakers visited Washington and held talks with U.S. lawmakers and State Department officials. The discussions took place during a U.S. congressional debate on new aid for Ukraine. The Baltic speakers highlight Russia's preparation for a prolonged conflict and stress the need for ongoing support. Estonia has contributed over $434 million in military aid to Ukraine and plans to allocate 0.25% of its GDP annually for the next four years. Lithuania's speaker notes the global significance of the conflict, particularly for the Indo-Pacific region and Taiwan. Inadequate support for Ukraine could diminish global trust in the West and embolden autocratic regimes. China's coercive measures against Lithuania after its cooperation with Taiwan are cited as an example. Ukrainian officials report a Russian aerial attack on a hospital in the Kharkiv region, injuring four people. The Russian Defense Ministry claims to have downed five Ukrainian drones. The article also mentions other related news, such as the Baltic states building new defenses on Russia and Belarus borders, Lithuania becoming a repair hub for Ukraine's tanks, and diplomats boycotting OSCE talks over the presence of the Russian foreign minister.

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https://www.voanews.com/a/baltic-speakers-back-supporting-ukraine-amid-us-debate-on-aid/7467285.html