BRUNSWICK, ME – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), co-chairs of the Senate Arctic Caucus, are expressing support for Finland and Sweden joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and calling for expedited ratification of accession protocols. The co-chairs have cosponsored a Senate resolution with a bipartisan group of fifteen Senators highlighting the strategic importance of the Nordic nations and backing their inclusion in the NATO alliance.

“Vladimir Putin has made two major miscalculations: that the Ukrainian people would not resist his attempts to restore the Soviet Union through barbaric force, and that NATO would not demonstrate a unity of purpose to defend the free world,” said Senator King. “As Russia’s attempted war on Ukraine enters its fourth month, it is clear that his first presumption was very wrong. Now, his brutal violence has not only unified NATO but attracted more nations to this vital defensive alliance. Finland and Sweden have long been key allies in stabilizing the High North, and I join my colleagues in full support of their NATO membership.”

“As the world rallies behind Ukraine’s efforts to defend democracy and against Russia’s unprovoked and barbaric invasion, I’m proud to put my support behind the people of Finland and Sweden as they aim to join NATO. I respect our Nordic allies in their right to choose alliances. Finland and Sweden must know they have the full support of the United States and the U S Senate as they take this next step,” said Senator Murkowski.

To address the situation in Ukraine as it affects relations in the Arctic region, tomorrow at 9:00 AM, Senator King will join the annual Meeting of the Assembly of UArctic – which convenes Arctic universities from around the globe – to lead a special session on “The New Future of the Arctic” at the University of New England’s Portland Campus. Join HERE.

As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Armed Services Committee, and co-chair of the U.S. Senate Arctic Caucus, Senator King is an advocate for Maine’s interests in the North Atlantic and Arctic region. Along with Caucus co-chair Murkowski, King previously supported the decision of Arctic intergovernmental forums, including the Arctic Council and Arctic Economic Council, to publicly denounce Russia’s unprovoked attacks against Ukraine and stand with our partners. King recently laid out the challenges and opportunities of a warming arctic in an article in the Wilson Quarterly, and in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, he successfully secured the inclusion of provisions to increase America’s activity and opportunities in the Far North.