Republican Congressman Don Bacon Addresses Drone Summit in Riga, Emphasizes Bipartisan Support for Allies and Ukraine
Riga, Latvia – Republican Congressman Don Bacon delivered a keynote address at the Drone Summit 2026 today, asserting strong bipartisan support within the United States Congress for Baltic allies and Ukraine. Speaking in the Latvian capital, Bacon characterized the current geopolitical climate as a pivotal moment, drawing a historical parallel to the choices faced by Winston Churchill and Neville Chamberlain.
Congressman Bacon, a retired US Air Force brigadier general who represents Nebraska’s 2nd congressional district and serves on the influential House Armed Services Committee, opened his remarks by directly addressing potential concerns regarding the steadfastness of American commitment to its allies. He stated, “Support for Latvia, but also their neighbors, is broadly and very strongly bipartisan. Congress stands with our Baltic allies. We also stand with our European friends and NATO.” He further indicated that a vote on critical legislation to provide additional aid to Ukraine and impose tougher sanctions on Russia was anticipated in the upcoming week, underscoring the immediate relevance of his message to ongoing legislative efforts in Washington.
Bacon spoke with appreciation for the Baltic states, drawing on their historical experience under Soviet occupation to highlight their modern achievements. He described Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania as a “bright beacon of freedom in the world,” suggesting their journey could inspire other nations aspiring to democracy. He specifically recalled Latvia’s post-1991 transition, noting how the nation “rapidly pulled that band aid off and embraced democracy, free markets, rule of law.” This historical context served to emphasize the strategic and symbolic importance of the region to democratic values globally, framing the Baltic states as exemplars of successful post-Soviet democratic transition and economic integration.
Turning his attention to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Congressman Bacon articulated a clear and firm stance. He characterized the conflict in stark terms, stating, “This fight in Ukraine is about good versus evil, a dictator versus a representative government, a government that wants to have rule of law and freedom, and countries are trying to take it away.” He stressed that the failure of Russia in Ukraine was directly aligned with U.S. national security interests. Bacon issued a strong warning about the potential consequences of Russian success, predicting that “If they succeed, Moldova will be next, and we know that they’re going to threaten the Baltics right here.” This perspective underscores the belief that Russian aggression, if unchecked, poses a broader threat to regional and international stability, directly impacting NATO’s eastern flank and potentially challenging the collective security framework.
The Congressman dedicated a significant portion of his address to commending Ukraine’s innovative approaches on the battlefield, particularly in drone warfare. Despite being outnumbered approximately four to one by Russian forces, Ukraine has demonstrated remarkable adaptability and strategic ingenuity. Bacon highlighted, “Ukraine had to innovate if they wanted to save their independence, their language, their culture, their history from Russian domination, and they’ve been extraordinarily effective. What they’re doing on the battlefield is incredible.” He provided specific examples of this innovation, noting that Ukrainian forces are launching “10,000 drones a day,” contributing to an estimated “1,000 Russians are being killed or wounded a day, 900 of them from these drones.” He further emphasized the cost-effectiveness of this strategy, pointing out that these drones can be acquired for as little as “$5,000,” thereby enabling asymmetric advantages against a larger adversary.
Bacon argued that the United States must adapt its own defense strategies in light of these developments, recognizing a shift in the nature of modern conflict. He contended, “America has to figure out how to embrace this. We’re used to flying F-35s, Patriots, high-end expensive weapons, and we’ve got to learn how to adapt and also have these low-cost effective weapons.” He lauded Latvia for its proactive role, positioning itself as a leader within NATO for developing and deploying advanced drone and counter-drone technologies. This acknowledgment signals a potential shift in military doctrine and procurement priorities across the Alliance, moving towards more agile, technologically diverse, and cost-effective defense capabilities.
Congressman Bacon concluded his address with a potent historical analogy, likening the present moment to the critical decisions faced by British leaders on the eve of World War II. “This is our Winston Churchill or Neville Chamberlain moment, fighting for freedom or appeasing a dictator,” he asserted. He declared his personal stance, stating, “I know where I stand. May God help us be the Churchills of today for freedom.” He warned of dire global consequences if this path is not taken, cautioning that “If not, Russia and China will throw that away, and we’re going to live in a much more dangerous world.” This statement reflects a broader concern about the rise of authoritarian powers and their potential challenge to the existing international order.
Congressman Don Bacon has been a consistent voice on foreign policy and defense matters since joining the House Armed Services Committee in 2017. Throughout his tenure, he has frequently advocated for a robust and assertive Western posture toward strategic adversaries, including Russia and China, often framing alternative approaches as forms of appeasement. His remarks at the Drone Summit align with his established record of promoting strong alliances and decisive action in the face of perceived threats to democratic values and international stability, particularly within the context of great power competition.
Why This Matters
Congressman Bacon’s address at the Drone Summit in Riga holds significant implications across several dimensions, from international relations and military strategy to domestic political dynamics in the United States.
Firstly, the speech serves as a crucial signal of continued U.S. commitment to its NATO allies, particularly those on the Alliance’s eastern flank. The Baltic states, sharing borders with Russia and Belarus, are acutely aware of the security threats emanating from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Bacon’s emphasis on “broadly and very strongly bipartisan” support aims to reassure these allies that U.S. foreign policy toward the region will remain steadfast, regardless of domestic political shifts or electoral cycles. This message is particularly vital amid ongoing debates in the U.S. Congress regarding the future scope and scale of aid to Ukraine, which some perceive as indicators of fluctuating U.S. resolve. Reassurance from a senior Republican member of the House Armed Services Committee, especially one with a military background, carries substantial weight, particularly to those concerned about potential changes in U.S. leadership and policy following upcoming elections. It underscores the enduring nature of alliance commitments despite internal political complexities.
Secondly, Bacon’s strong condemnation of Russia’s actions in Ukraine and his warning of further aggression (Moldova, Baltics) underscore the perceived existential threat that Russia poses to European security and the rules-based international order. His framing of the conflict as “good versus evil” and a “Churchill or Chamberlain moment” highlights a moral and strategic imperative for continued resistance, not merely a regional dispute. This rhetoric reinforces the strategic rationale behind Western support for Ukraine, portraying it as a defense of fundamental democratic principles and a preventative measure against broader instability that could directly challenge NATO’s collective defense obligations under Article 5. Such a challenge would fundamentally alter the geopolitical landscape of Europe and could trigger a direct confrontation between nuclear powers.
Thirdly, the focus on Ukraine’s battlefield innovation, particularly in drone technology, points to a profound shift in modern warfare. Bacon’s observations about the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of drones—with thousands deployed daily and accounting for a significant portion of casualties—suggest a paradigm shift from traditional, high-cost military platforms. His call for the U.S. to “embrace this” and adapt its procurement strategies implies a recognition that future conflicts may increasingly rely on networked, asymmetric, and technologically agile solutions rather than solely on expensive, high-end conventional systems. Latvia’s emergence as a NATO leader in drone technology further illustrates how smaller nations can carve out niches of strategic importance, driving innovation and shaping alliance capabilities. This has long-term implications for defense budgets, industrial policy, military doctrine, and the training of personnel across all NATO members, potentially leading to a re-evaluation of defense spending priorities globally.
Finally, Bacon’s remarks contribute to the ongoing domestic political discourse in the United States regarding foreign aid, national security spending, and the nation’s role in global affairs. As a Republican, his clear articulation of bipartisan support for Ukraine and NATO, alongside his call for strategic adaptation, provides insights into the prevailing views within segments of the Republican Party, especially those focused on traditional defense and foreign policy. His historical analogies are designed to galvanize support by linking contemporary challenges to past moments of critical national decision-making, aiming to frame current policy choices within a broader narrative of defending freedom and deterring authoritarianism globally. The upcoming vote on Ukraine aid and sanctions, which he referenced, will be a tangible test of the bipartisan commitment he underscored in his speech, and its outcome will be closely watched by allies and adversaries alike as an indicator of U.S. resolve and strategic direction.