WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Tuesday after the Senate approved Montenegro’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO):

“Montenegro’s membership in NATO will serve to strengthen the organization, enhance American national security, and 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 also have positive repercussions across the continent and send an important, clear message to other aspirant countries. 

“I’m pleased the United States Senate has fulfilled its Constitutional duty and encourage the Trump administration to deposit the instrument of ratification without delay. An expanded NATO strengthens our hand against a resurgent Russia and against the global challenges that threaten our security and our values.”

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