[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 57 (Thursday, April 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E461]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            STOPPING RUSSIAN AGGRESSION AGAINST NATO ALLIES

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                         HON. THOMAS MacARTHUR

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 2016

  Mr. MacARTHUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight a disturbing 
trend that deserves increased scrutiny in the wake of Russia's growing 
aggression on its southern and western borders. Recently, North 
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg 
met with members of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations 
Committees to discuss how to counter an assertive Russia, a phenomenon 
he describes as ``a chief threat.''
  Recent events have led some to question the relevance of the NATO 
alliance. Indeed, designations that NATO is obsolete have sparked an 
international debate about the significance of the 28-member defense 
alliance--one that has drawn the focus of our nation's top military 
leaders who have been stalwart in their defense of its importance.
  Russia's aggression has also put increased pressure on our NATO ally 
Turkey. In recent years Turkey has witnessed aggression to its north in 
Crimea and Ukraine, to the south in Syria, and in Georgia to its east. 
This has all been part of a larger Russian strategy to put pressure on 
NATO's perimeter in an attempt to solidify regional control.
  Turkey lies in the invaluable strategic location as the gateway 
between Europe and the Middle East. Now is the time for the United 
States to show strong support for all of our NATO allies, and 
especially Turkey. Vladimir Putin understands only one thing and this 
is strength. If we don't stand with our allies now and show strength, 
then Putin will continue to display regional aggression and ultimately 
may threaten one of our NATO allies. We must stand with our allies now, 
more than ever, to ensure that security in the region is maintained and 
U.S. interests are secured.

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