Shaheen, Tillis Issue Joint Statement Ahead of NATO 75th Anniversary
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), co-chairs of the bipartisan U.S. Senate NATO Observer Group, issued the following joint statement ahead of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) 75th anniversary:
“NATO is the world’s greatest alliance and it’s stronger today than it was 75 years ago at its founding. What started as twelve countries committed to maintaining peace in Europe has grown to a partnership of thirty-two allies committed to advancing transatlantic security.
“NATO has confronted numerous challenges over the past seven decades. For the first and only time in its history, it invoked Article Five after the terrorist attacks on 9/11 to come to the defense of the United States. When Russia invaded Ukraine, NATO was there, and the United States has led the way in keeping our allies united in our support for the Ukrainians. Something Putin’s war in Ukraine has done—an unintended outcome he never expected—was unify, grow and strengthen NATO in a way we’ve never seen. In the past two years alone, Sweden and Finland have been admitted into the Alliance—adding critical and unique capabilities that will help the United States and our allies meet today’s challenges and address tomorrow’s threats.
“This anniversary is worthy of celebration. But it is important that the Alliance remain clear-eyed and united against those who seek to upend global stability—from Russia’s continued attempts to undermine peace in Europe to the pacing challenge posed by the People’s Republic of China. It’s also critical that all NATO allies meet the two percent of GDP on defense—by the end of this year, it’s expected that 18 countries will fulfill that commitment. We are proud of this progress and know that by remaining in lockstep as global partners, NATO can shepherd in another 75 years of stability and transatlantic unity.”
As co-chairs of the Senate NATO Observer Group, which they re-started together in 2018, Shaheen and Tillis led bipartisan efforts in the Senate in support of the transatlantic Alliance. The Senators have been outspoken in their support to grow the Alliance, recently applauding ratification by Türkiye’s Parliament of Sweden’s NATO accession protocols and leading a resolution criticizing Hungary’s delay in ratifying Sweden’s accession.
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