[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 43 (Monday, March 11, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S2336]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                 Sweden

  Madam President, on another matter, last week, I was proud to welcome 
the Prime Minister of Sweden to the Capitol on a historic day in his 
Nation's history and a great day for America and fellow members of the 
transatlantic alliance.
  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 2 years ago. As Russian forces amassed 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 defending 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, it is no different. I have been proud to 
walk with our newest allies at every stop of the process. I will never 
forget standing with them 2 years ago in Stockholm and in Helsinki on 
the very day the Swedish and Finnish Parliaments voted overwhelmingly 
to launch their NATO axis bills.
  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 literally transcends party 
lines.
  Today, America's newest treaty allies are poised to make significant, 
immediate contributions to the transatlantic 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.