The United States Senate, which is responsible for deciding, has approved by an overwhelming majority that Sweden and Finland join NATO, leaving behind the contempt for this institution that the previous president practiced for four years. Democrats and Republicans have joined ranks to pave the way for one of the organization's most significant transatlantic expansions in decades, in a clear message condemning Russia for invading Ukraine.
The result of 95 votes in favor to one against makes the US the 23rd country to ratify the enlargement, out of the 30 members that are part of NATO, after Stockholm and Helsinki considered joining last spring. by the military campaign unleashed by Russia.
The number of votes has exceeded the necessary two-thirds and has been a demonstration of the appetite of the two parties to give more muscle to the Western alliance, even in the midst of threats of retaliation from Moscow towards Sweden and Finland. This country will contribute more than double the amount of territory that the organization has directly bordering Russia.
US President Joe Biden, who is the one who must stamp the signature on the protocols, has issued a congratulatory statement in which he has stressed that this expansion "will further strengthen collective security and deepen the transatlantic partnership". This will mean that the alliance is reinforced with military assets, especially since both countries have a considerable arsenal of artillery, warplanes and naval weapons compatible with the organization's systems.
"This is a signal to Russia, it cannot intimidate the United States or Europe," stressed Chuck Schumer, head of the Democratic majority in the Senate. "This is the exact opposite of what Putin envisioned when he ordered his tanks to invade Ukraine," said Robert Menendez, a Democrat who chairs the foreign relations committee.
According to article 10 of the NATO charter, additional European countries can be added only by unanimous agreement. In the United States, the ratification of that expansion falls under the powers of the Senate. The Lower House of Representatives lacks a vote on the issue, a legislative body in which there would have been more opposition, since many Republicans are under the orbit of Trumpism, much more favorable to the Russian president than the establishment of the Republican Party.
In the Senate, in addition to the conservative Rand Paul, who has abstained (he used the formula of "present"), only Josh Hawley has opposed and has done so with a defiant speech. He has argued, much in line with previous President Trump, that allowing these two revenues is contrary to the interests of the United States. “Expanding NATO will require more US forces in Europe, more soldiers, more firepower, more resources, more spending, and not just now, but in the long term,” he stressed. “Our great adversary is not in Europe, he is in Asia”, he clarified.
The reply has been given by Mitch McConnell, head of the conservative minority and today an enemy of the former Republican presidents. "Greater cooperation with these allies will help us counter Russia and China," he said. "It is a guarantee for our national security," he insisted.
Seven countries are missing to certify the incorporation of Sweden and Finland. Some have put obstacles, such as Turkey and Hungary, which maintain positions of pressure, the first, and enigmatic, the second.
