Boise City Wire

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today commented on Sweden's accession to NATO. Risch expressed gratitude for Hungary's ratification of Sweden as a NATO member after nineteen months since the accession protocol was signed. He noted, "While it is disappointing it took this long, Sweden has a strong dedication to security in the North Atlantic and its submarine capabilities will be a great help to NATO defenses. In recent years, Sweden has rapidly increased its defense expenditures and now spends over 2% of its GDP on defense."

Regarding Sweden and Finland's decision to join NATO, Risch highlighted their military capabilities, stating, "NATO’s newest members, Sweden and Finland, have some of the most capable militaries in Europe." He emphasized that their choice to join the alliance in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine sends a clear message to the Kremlin about Europe's unity in safeguarding transatlantic security.