Blinken calls Baltics NATO leaders for defense budgets, support to Ukraine

VILNIUS - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised the Baltic nations for their defense budgets and support for Ukraine, calling them "leaders in NATO", as he met with the three countries' foreign ministers on Monday.

"These three allies have been leaders in NATO, contributing significantly to their defense budgets, leading the way in NATO and also leading the way in support for Ukraine at a time when that support is absolutely vital," Blinken said before the meeting in Washington, D.C.

"And I think it's a recognition on the part of all three countries, as well as the United States, of what the stakes are when it comes to our support for Ukraine," he said.

The secretary of state underlined that there is "a lot of work to be done" when it comes to support for Ukraine and on building NATO's future.

The Baltic countries are aiming for defense budgets of 3 percent of GDP next year.

The Baltic nations are also among the largest contributors to Ukraine in terms of the share of their budgets allocated for the purpose.

The Baltic foreign ministers and their US counterpart discussed "regional security issues, continuity of assistance to Ukraine and key objectives of the NATO summit in Washington, D.C.".