Findings

Congress finds the following: (1) The United States has a strong and unwavering interest in promoting peace, security, democracy, good governance, and rule of law in Central and Eastern Europe. (2) Many countries in Central and Eastern Europe are strong and reliable NATO partners that serve as indefensible allies to the United States and transatlantic security. (3) In recent years, de-democratization in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in Hungary, has greatly undermined the United States bilateral relationship with those countries and have enabled malign actors like China and Russia to gain a foothold in the transatlantic alliance. (4) Russia’s illegal war of aggression in Ukraine and China’s significant support for Russia’s war of aggression pose a significant economic and security threat to the European continent. (5) Strengthening the United States security and economic relationship with Central and Eastern Europe while countering malign action in the region is in the vital interest of the United States.