Susan Collins and Mitch McConnell will visit Helsinki in the middle of NATO talks
WASHINGTON – Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and a delegation of GOP senators will visit Helsinki on Monday to discuss with the President of Finland, when the Nordic country, which was previously a neutral neighbor of Russia, is applying for NATO membership.
McConnell is a staunch supporter of the Western military alliance, and a visit to the Ukrainian capital by the Republicans who made a surprise stop over the weekend is a testament to America’s support for the region in Ukraine’s fight against the Russian invasion.
The office of President of the Republic Sauli Niinisö said on Sunday that McConnell and Sens. Susan Collins from Maine, John Barrasso from Wyoming and John Corny from Texas will meet to discuss Finland’s NATO membership, the war in Ukraine and other issues. McConnell’s office confirmed the visit.
McConnell was in Stockholm on Sunday when leading diplomats from 30 NATO member states met in Berlin to discuss increasing Ukraine’s support and the actions of Finland, Sweden and others to join NATO in the face of Russian threats.
Several hours after Finland’s announcement, the Swedish ruling party also supported joining NATO, which could lead to the country’s application in a few days.
A high-level meeting of U.S. lawmakers in Finland will come as Congress seeks to approve $ 40 billion in military aid to Ukraine, which is significant support for the region. The measure includes $ 6 billion for Ukraine in intelligence, equipment and troop training, as well as $ 4 billion in funding to help Ukraine and NATO allies build their armies.
The latest round of aid would raise U.S. aid to Ukraine to more than $ 50 billion, raising concerns from some conservative Republicans who are cautious about the cost of foreign spending. The measure stalled in the Senate due to opposition from Senator Rand Paul, R-Ky, but McConnell has decided to make sure it passes next week.
“They’re just asking for the resources they need to defend themselves from this crazy attack,” McConnell said of the Ukrainians last week. “And they need this help right now.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has already pushed aid through Parliament with votes from both parties, told Senate Republicans on CNN’s “State of Union” program: “They could not pass Ukrainian law when senators went to Ukraine empty-handed. We accepted the bill.”
On Saturday, McConnell and his colleagues met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and then issued a statement after leaving the country: “Our delegation reassured President Zelensky that the United States stands well behind Ukraine and will support us until Ukraine wins this war.”
McConnell added: “It is definitely in our national interest to help Ukraine win this war and help Ukraine and other countries prevent other wars of aggression before they begin.”
In a video speech Saturday night, Zelenskyy said he believed the senators ’trip showed“ a strong connection between Ukraine and the American people. We discussed various aspects of supporting our country, including defense and funding, and strengthening sanctions against Russia.
It was the second high-profile congressional delegation to stop in Ukraine in so many weeks. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited California on May 1, promising Zelensky that the United States will “support you until the battle is over.”
The first woman, Jill Biden, visited Western Ukraine last weekend for a Mother’s Day meeting with Zelensky’s wife, Olena Zelenska.
Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press. Associated Press author Jari Tanner from Helsinki participated in this report.