McConnell: Proud To Welcome Newest NATO Allies
‘NATO’s expansion has always been linked to the threat posed by outside forces. And today is no different. I’ve been proud to walk with our newest allies at every step of this process. I’ll never forget standing with them two years ago, in Stockholm and in Helsinki, on the day the Swedish and Finnish parliaments voted overwhelmingly to launch their NATO accession bids.’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO):
“Last week, I was proud to welcome Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson of Sweden to the Capitol on an historic day in his nation’s history… And a great day for America and fellow members of the trans-Atlantic alliance. And earlier today, the flag of Sweden was raised over NATO headquarters for the first time.
“Sweden is our newest NATO ally. And the Prime Minister’s visit to Washington marked the culmination of a process that began more than two years ago.
“As Russian forces massed on Ukraine’s border in the winter of 2022, Putin’s aggressive ambitions clarified the thinking of some of Europe’s strongest security partners.
“From outside NATO, Sweden and Finland had already built advanced economies, capable militaries, and impressive defense industries. But in the face of an axis of revisionist powers, our Nordic friends decided it was time to cast their lot with the most successful military alliance in history.
“Their path to accession is a clarifying reminder that NATO has always been a defensive alliance. Its members first undertook the responsibility of collective security to defend against growing Soviet aggression.
“Central and Eastern European members pursued membership after the fall of the Iron Curtain to protect their newly reclaimed sovereignty and democracy.
“NATO’s expansion has always been linked to the threat posed by outside forces. And today is no different.
“I’ve been proud to walk with our newest allies at every step of this process. I’ll never forget standing with them two years ago, in Stockholm and in Helsinki, on the day the Swedish and Finnish parliaments voted overwhelmingly to launch their NATO accession bids.
“Russia’s escalation in Ukraine has unified Swedish and Finnish leaders. In both countries, strong support for NATO and a willingness to share the burden of collective defense transcends party lines.
“Today, America’s newest treaty allies are poised to make significant, immediate contributions to the trans-Atlantic alliance. With highly-trained forces equipped with cutting-edge capabilities, their commitment to NATO is a tremendous vote of confidence in the enduring importance of collective defense.
“With Sweden and Finland in our ranks, the West stands even more united against autocrats with imperial designs. With two new frontline allies, America’s interests are more secure.”
###
Related Issues: National Security, Ukraine, Russia, NATO
Next Previous
