The United States will allocate $180 million in military aid to NATO's Baltic states Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, this year as part of a scheme called the Baltic Security Initiative, the Estonian Defense Ministry made the announcement, AP reported.

The ministry said the budget package approved by the US Congress represents an increase of more than $10 million in security aid to the three countries over last year.

"The United States has shown a clear initiative in the current security crisis, both in supporting its NATO allies in the east as well as in Ukraine and in drawing international attention to Russia's actions," Estonian Defense Minister Kalle Laanet said. "The congressional decision shows that the United States is committed to protecting our region and clearly understands that defending its own country is tied to the Baltic states," Laanet said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the region last week and assured the three Baltic states of NATO protection and American support.