Senator Josh Hawley becomes first senator to oppose Finland and Sweden joining NATO as Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine nears six-month mark
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Late. Josh Hawley said he does not think the US should support Sweden and Finland’s NATO bid.
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In a new op-ed, he has become the first senator to announce his opposition to the alliance.
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In July, 18 House Republicans voted against a measure supporting the Scandinavian countries.
Missouri Senator Josh Hawley wrote in an oped that he does not believe the United States should throw its support behind Sweden and Finland joining NATO, becoming the first senator to announce his opposition to the alliance.
Writing for the national interest, Hawley said that “America’s largest foreign opponents does not loom over Europe.”
“It’s looming in Asia. I’m talking, of course, about the People’s Republic of China,” Hawley wrote. “And when it comes to Chinese imperialism, the American people should know the truth: America is not ready to stand up to it. Expanding American security commitments in Europe now would only make that problem worse — and America less safe.”
The two Scandinavian countries have sought to join the alliance after Russia launched its war in Ukraine – efforts that have outraged President Vladimir Putin.
In July, 18 House Republican legislators voted against approving a measure supporting the alliance — a sign of the ongoing pro-Russian shift to the right of the party ignited by Donald Trump. The opposition included some of the GOP’s far-right members, including Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Matt Gaetz of Florida and Lauren Boebert of Colorado.
“The Senate will soon vote on adding Sweden and Finland to NATO,” Hawley wrote. “Under the terms of the NATO founding treaty, that means the US would be obligated to defend both countries in the event of a military attack. I intend to vote no,” he said, repeating the threat of “Chinese imperialism” throughout. .
A Senate vote on support for the alliance could come within the next week, according to The Hill.
Read the original article at Business Insider