BAFL Baltic Bulletin Fall’ 2025

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Dear friends and supporters,

Russia’s unjust and brutal war against the people of Ukraine and its bold hybrid actions against the Baltic countries pose a significant challenge to NATO. Increased hostile rhetoric by Russian government officials towards the Baltic countries must be taken very seriously by our communities.

As a national non-profit organization founded in 1981, BAFL integrates grassroots activism with a congressional relations strategy. Over the decades, BAFL has collaborated closely with our congressional representatives and the White House, which has culminated in the attainment of Baltic freedom, and subsequently, NATO and EU membership. However, the optimistic era of peaceful change in the 1980s and 1990s are now replaced by threats of further occupation and terrorism by Russia.

The generations before us also preserved the cultures that continue to unite our communities. We carry on their legacy through sponsoring events, policy conferences with honored guests, YouTube discussions on topical issues, and issuing Calls to Action on congressional legislation as needed.

BAFL has issued four Calls to Action this past year. We have an ongoing grassroots Call to Action on the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI) and House and Senate Baltic Caucus membership entitled, “Sharing values of freedom, courage and leadership between the U.S. Congress and the Baltic States”, updated in September to reflect the new “Baltic Security Assessment Act” in the U.S. House and the status of appropriations and authorization legislation.

In June, during the anniversary of the Baltic deportations, we released a Call to Action entitled, “Support sanctions on Russia to weaken their war machine” to urge greater sanctions on countries that purchase energy from Russia. Despite strong bipartisan support in both chambers, these pieces of legislation still have not been sent to the floor for a vote. We believe that we must keep the pressure on Congress, particularly the House and Senate leadership, to pass this legislation.

On the third anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine in February, we issued a press release and a new Call to Action to support two pending resolutions in Congress that reaffirm Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Members of our Board and advocacy advisor regularly attend Ukraine summits in DC.

To directly engage with the staff on Capitol Hill, BAFL regularly sends direct emails to the foreign policy and defense staff on the Hill, reaching thousands of staff with updates on the BSI, at every step of the legislative process from appropriations, mark ups, to floor debates and to conference. This is a powerful way to communicate directly with Capitol Hill. Our advocacy advisor, Anne Smith, meets regularly with Capitol Hill staff and members.

This year, BAFL founder Tony and Danute Mazeika traveled to Lithuania as distinguished speakers at the Seimas. They engaged in a discussion with President Vytautas Landsbergis at an event held at Signatory House, which honored the signatories of the 1918 declaration of independence. This declaration included Danute Mazeika’s grandfather, Mykolas Biržiška, and another signatory. Additionally discussed was the renowned 1965 Baltic March on the United Nations.

We will work diligently over the next few months to secure congressional funding for the Baltic Security Initiative. This initiative maintains strong security ties and robust military sales of U.S. equipment to the Baltic countries. Also, we will continue to advocate for the U.S. government to take all necessary legislative, diplomatic, and economic measures to secure victory for Ukraine.

To continue, we urgently need your participation in our campaigns and financial support of our events and this publication. Your gift today of $100, $250, $500, $1000 – or whatever amount is right for you – will help us continue our important mission to further Baltic relations with the United States. Thank you for your generous support. Every gift is appreciated.

Please scan the QR code below or visit our website www.bafl.com to read and act on our latest campaign in the “Call to Action” tab. Thank you in advance for your advocacy and ongoing financial support.