NATO was a target for other countries that were interested in joining after the Russian invasion. Sweden and Finland are key among these countries.
In a 95-1 vote this afternoon, the U.S. Senate approved the admission of both Scandinavian countries to NATO’s roster – the largest expansion of the organization in nearly 20 years. After the U.S.’s approval, there are around half a dozen countries left to approve their admission.
Fox News
NATO officials formally approved the two nations’ efforts to join the alliance last month. The process for joining NATO is now at its final stage. This requires approval from all member countries’ legislatures.
According to NATO’s website, more than 20 member countries have already approved Sweden and Finland joining NATO. After the U.S.’ approval, just over a half dozen countries remain.
Adding Sweden and Finald to NATO has broad bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress, which has been eager to rebuke Russia and since the beginning of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s brutal war on Ukraine. Recent months saw multiple packages of military aid to Ukraine approved by Congress.
Republican U.S. Missouri Senator Josh was the only one to vote against. Kentucky Senator Rand Paul voted “present.” Hawley voted against the resolution, arguing that the U.S. should be focusing on China, not European affairs. A op-ed was published at National InterestHe explains that it encourages the wasteful spending of U.S. dollars in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Sweden and Finland are keen to join NATO Alliance in order to stop Russian aggression. This is understandable considering their security requirements and location. However, America’s greatest foreign adversary doesn’t loom over Europe. It is in Asia. I am talking of course about the People’s Republic of China. The truth is that the United States cannot resist Chinese imperialism when confronted with it. Expanding American security commitments in Europe now would only make that problem worse—and America, less safe.
[…]
To be clear, America shouldn’t abandon NATO. But it’s time for our European allies to do more. They must also take greater responsibility for Europe’s conventional defense by investing in their militaries. Since 2006, NATO member countries have pledged at least 2 per cent of their GDP to national defense. The number should be greater. It is far higher than the defense spending of the United States. But many NATO members still haven’t met even this minimal commitment.
Hawley’s vote, however, was met with digs from Republican colleagues Mitch McConnell and Tom Cotton.
Oooof — McConnell with a not-so-subtle dig at Hawley, who is voting no on Finland/Sweden joining NATO.
“If any senator is looking for a defensible excuse to vote no, I wish them good luck. This is a slam dunk for national security that deserves unanimous bipartisan support.”
— Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) August 3, 2022
Wow. Sen. Cotton will sue Sen. Hawley for voting in favor of North Macedonia joining NATO in 2019, but is now opposed to Finland/Sweden.
“It would be strange indeed,” Cotton says. “I would love the hear the defense of such a curious vote.”
— Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) August 3, 2022
With more money coming, the U.S. has already contributed a substantial amount to Ukraine’s war effort. While Hawley is not the only conservative critic of U.S. military spending, many Republicans are in favor of NATO’s two new members.
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