Duckworth: Sweden & Finland as Part of NATO Will Help Improve National Security, Punish Putin

Duckworth: Sweden & Finland as Part of NATO Will Help Improve National Security, Punish Putin

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), combat Veteran and member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement after the Senate passed a resolution approving Sweden and Finland's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO):

"As Putin continues to wage his unjustified and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, it is as important as ever to ensure our NATO alliance is as strong as possible-and I'm proud the Senate took action today to help add two new capable and committed partners: Sweden and Finland. Including Sweden and Finland in our NATO alliance would mean stronger military defenses and diplomatic capabilities against Putin and other emerging threats as well as send a clear, resounding message that the free world remains united in support of Ukraine and against Putin's cruelty. I hope President Biden moves to swiftly ratify the Washington Treaty to ensure Sweden and Finland's quick accession to NATO, and I look forward to welcoming them into our alliance."

This past May, Duckworth joined her colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden urging him to expedite Sweden and Finland's applications for NATO membership in the Executive Branch as the group of Senators works to swiftly consider and approve this application in the Senate.

Duckworth has been a strong supporter of Ukraine against Russia's invasion. She joined U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Mark Warner (D-VA), Jon Tester (D-MT) and six of her colleagues in introducing the Digital Asset Sanctions Compliance Enhancement Act to ensure that Vladimir Putin and Russian elites can't use digital assets to undermine the international community's economic sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

Duckworth also urged the Biden Administration to accelerate the sale of M1A2 SEPv3 tanks to Poland. The letter also asked the Biden Administration to engage with additional NATO allies to determine if the Russian Federation's brutal act of war requires the U.S to develop and execute any additional sales to strengthen the military capabilities of other NATO members. She also called on the Biden Administration to grant Temporary Protected Status to Ukrainians in the U.S. following the Russian military invasion.

Duckworth was one of the first handful of Army women to fly combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom. She served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years before retiring from military service in 2014 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. She served on the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) during her four years serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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