'Raised eyebrows': New Pete Hegseth move said to send 'chilling message' to Europe

The Department of Defense sent letters last week to European countries informing them that it will pull military support for nations near the Russian border, including Ukraine.

Reuters reported Friday that Section 333 of the U.S. Code permits the Secretary of Defense to provide training and equipment to foreign security forces for counterterrorism or anti–drug trafficking operations. However, a Lithuanian defense ministry official revealed that Pete Hegseth is moving to rescind this support for some European countries bordering Russia, following the receipt of the Pentagon’s letter.

The decision follows President Trump’s declaration of a war on drug trafficking and cartels.

Two sources confirmed on Thursday that the U.S. would begin a phase-out of European security assistance, raising concerns, particularly from those in Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia.

Fox News' national security correspondent, Jennifer Griffin, posted on X, "Pentagon’s Elbridge Colby begins push to cut US military aid to Eastern European and Baltic countries that border Russia in move that has raised eyebrows among National Security officials in chilling message to Europe and Ukraine: sources tell Fox."

One American in Ukraine couldn't help but notice that this announcement comes after Trump refused to sanction Russia. He then posted photos of himself and Russian President Vladimir Putin and praised their "great relationship" during a White House dinner.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, on Thursday, reaffirmed Canada's support for NATO, pledging to continue working with those on the border with Russia to ensure their sovereignty.

The Baltic states of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania, along with Ukraine, were once part of the Soviet Union. All three Baltic nations declared independence shortly after the fall of the "Iron Curtain" in 1989. Russian President Vladimir Putin has long sought to restore Russia to its pre-1991 borders, which would include regaining control over the Baltics and Ukraine.

Read the full report here.