Political Quotes

“I thank Chairman Corker for the manner in which this resolution of ratification has been handled in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. It has been handled in a nonpartisan way. We have had hearings, we have had votes, we have had a lot of conversations about it, and at last we are going to get a chance to vote on the ratification. So I come to the floor to speak in support of this resolution of ratification regarding the Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 on the Accession of Montenegro. I have been a strong supporter of Montenegro's bid to join NATO. It will enhance our security, it will strengthen the alliance, and it will send a strong message of resolve to Russia as it invades its neighbors and seeks to upend the international order. Montenegro's inclusion in NATO will have positive repercussions across the continent and will send an important message of hope to aspirant countries. Last week, I met with Montenegro's Foreign Minister, and he described Russia's persistent efforts to weaken support for NATO membership in Montenegro. Last October, Russia interfered in the Montenegrin elections. There was a plot to assassinate the former Prime Minister of Montenegro and take over the Montenegrin Parliament. The suspects in that case scurried back to Moscow, and the Russian authorities refused to turn them over to the Montenegrins or even make them available for questioning in Moscow.…”