Ahead of Vilnius NATO Summit, Shaheen Leads Bipartisan Resolution to Reaffirm U.S. Security Priorities
**Shaheen is co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, which she re-established with Senator Tillis (R-NC) in 2018**
(Washington, DC) -- U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group and Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, led a bipartisan resolution to reaffirm U.S. security priorities ahead of the 2023 NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. Joining Shaheen on the resolution are Senate NATO Observer Group co-chair Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Chuck Grassley, co-Chairs of the Senate Baltic Caucus.
“For more than 70 years, NATO has played a critical role in maintaining and promoting transatlantic security, and today, the bonds shared by allies are stronger than ever before. The Summit in Vilnius will offer another opportunity for our allies and partners to reaffirm our commitments to our shared priorities to defend the transatlantic Alliance and the future of democracies around the globe from existential threats, no matter the origin. I am proud to lead this bipartisan resolution in the Senate outlining the Senate’s top priorities ahead of the 2023 NATO Summit, which include countering China’s increasingly aggressive behavior, resisting Russian influence in the Black Sea region and reaffirming that no matter the threat, the transatlantic Alliance stands in support of the democratic, rules-based world order. As Putin’s war in Ukraine rages on, this resolution serves as a reminder to our allies and partners that there is bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate to work with NATO to promote our shared interests,” said Senator Shaheen.
“The NATO Alliance is a vital partnership for the United States, and as we face continued aggression from Russia in Ukraine, provocation from China, and other rising threats, it is more important than ever that we work to bolster and strengthen the Alliance,” said Senator Tillis. “As co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, I am proud to work with Senator Shaheen and my colleagues on this resolution to show the U.S. Senate’s continued support for our allies and I look forward to reaffirming that commitment at the 2023 NATO Summit next month.”
“Created in the aftermath of World War II, NATO has been critical in maintaining security in Europe, including for many newer members finally free from Soviet tyranny. With Ukraine continuing to face brutal and unwarranted attacks by Russia, this year’s NATO Summit is more important than ever,” said Senator Durbin. “I’m joining my colleagues in introducing this resolution to express my hope for a productive 2023 NATO Summit in Lithuania — which is set to showcase the leadership of the Baltic states in the alliance.”
“For decades, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has enhanced stability and security for democratic nations on both sides of the Atlantic,” Senator Grassley said. “The 2023 NATO Summit is a special opportunity for the United States to join with our allies and recommit to preserving freedom and independence in Europe at this crucial time. It is significant that this historic summit is being held in Vilnius since the Baltic states kept the flame of liberty alive during 50 years of Soviet occupation and are now leaders in Europe in defending our shared principles.”
Shaheen’s resolution comes ahead of the 2023 NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, where Allies will consider next steps to advance the 2022 NATO Strategic Concept, which asserts the Alliance’s objectives, including strengthening and unifying NATO, bolstering deterrence on the Eastern Flank and working to respond to emerging security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.
The resolution can be read here.
Shaheen leads bipartisan efforts in the Senate with Senator Tillis in support of the transatlantic Alliance, and specifically around Finland and Sweden's accession into NATO. Shaheen, a member of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, has led two bipartisan delegations to Ukraine and met with President Zelenskyy to reaffirm U.S. support for Ukraine. In addition, legislation co-led by Shaheen to speed up military assistance to Ukraine and Eastern European nations was signed into law last year. Shaheen and Tillis led the U.S. delegation to the NATO Summit in Madrid last year, and previously traveled together to the NATO Summit in Brussels in 2018. Shaheen traveled to Lithuania in 2021, where she met with Belarusian opposition and pro-democracy leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskya. Shaheen, also a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has led action to combat Vladimir Putin’s belligerence in Ukraine and across Eastern Europe.
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