On the recordFebruary 8, 2024
I think that would weaken the United States. I think it would weaken NATO. I think it would weaken the whole concept of collective security. The Finns and the Swedes have a long history in this region. The Finns know better than any nation what it means to stand alone against Russian aggression, to fight hard, to stand tall, and to push them back. Their memory of the Winter War of 1939, 1940 is critical to their national identity, and they have a capable and sophisticated military. The Swedes were a regional power of dominant military centuries ago, but they remained neutral even in the Second World War. For the Swedes and Finns to see Russia's aggression against Ukraine and extend their hand to all of NATO and say ``we want in'' shows that they appreciate the significance of this moment. By adding Finland to NATO, we have doubled Russia's border with NATO. We have brought into NATO two very capable nations and militaries, but we have also increased, I think, our moral commitment to stand firm and to stand strong. NATO has only invoked article V once, in our defense, after the attack of 9/11; and NATO came with us for 20 years to Afghanistan. I have stood with the leaders of countries most Americans don't think about every day. Take, for example, Denmark, a small nation that fought alongside us for decades in Afghanistan that lost dozens and dozens of their soldiers. They met their pledge for collective security in NATO. We need to honor that pledge.
