Senate United States of America this Wednesday supported Sweden and Finland’s accession to NATOA decisive step in the US approval of both countries’ participation in the Atlantic alliance. The upper house, controlled by Democrats, voted 95 in favor and one against. “This historic vote sends an important signal of America’s continued bipartisan commitment to NATO and the preparation of our alliance for the challenges of today and tomorrow,” US President Joe Biden said in a statement. Said. Finland and Sweden’s accession to the alliance will further strengthen NATO’s collective security and deepen the transatlantic alliance.”
The Senate also passed an amendment stating: All NATO members should spend at least 2% of their GDP on defense by 2024. and 20% of its defense budget to “main equipment, research and development”. Instead, he rejected an amendment introduced by Republicans that wanted to prevent NATO’s commitment to defend its members from getting in the way of Congress’ power to authorize the use of military force.
The approval process for new members to join NATO varies by country: in the United States, the approval of two-thirds of the Senate is required, followed by the president’s signature. US president Democrat Joe Biden forwarded the accession protocol to the senators on July 11 and urged them to ratify it as soon as possible, considering that both countries “will make a clear contribution to the alliance in terms of both capabilities and resources.”
The chairman of the Senate Foreign Committee, Bob Menéndez, who is also a Democrat, took a similar stance on Wednesday, emphasizing at the start of the debate that US support sends a strong message in favor of freedom and collective defense. The influential senator stressed that after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the current situation demonstrates “more than ever the vital role” played by NATO in peacekeeping.
At their summit in Madrid at the end of June, NATO leaders agreed to start the admission process for Sweden and Finland. Both countries have temporary observer status and will become full members once the alliance’s 30 members approve access. Motivated by the Russian invasion, Sweden and Finland submitted their applications for admission on May 18.. They did this at a meeting of NATO ambassadors with Allied Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the headquarters of the transatlantic organization in Brussels. Although Turkey finally reached an agreement with Sweden and Finland, which Stoltenberg mediated and received US approval, it had vetoed Turkey’s entry and demanded greater cooperation in fighting organizations that Ankara designated as terrorists.
The entry of Sweden and Finland will allow NATO to have alternative sea and air corridors to support the Baltic states.
Republican US Senator Josh Hawley was the only person to vote against this Wednesday. you entered. “Enlargement will mean new obligations for the United States,” he said, convinced that his country should focus on Asia, not Europe, to counter the growing Chinese threat.