Sen. Menendez Questions Witnesses During SFRC Subcommittee Hearing About the Possible Process for Ukraine to … – Senator Menendez

WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) yesterday questioned witnesses during a U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation about the possible process for Ukraine to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the future.

You all have the belief that in this upcoming Summit that some process should be offered to Ukraine for a future in NATO is that fair to say? asked Sen. Menendez. And so, the question then becomes, what is that process? Is it a merely an invitation with a long-term opportunity? Is it something more substantial? Is it something that is just another stronger statement that its future is in NATO? What would be desirable to walk away from the Summit, especially at this point in time with Ukraine and its challenges that it has with Russia?

Sen. Menendez quoted Ambassador Douglas Lute, former U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO and retired Lieutenant General of the U.S. Army, when in 2016 he stated that there was no chance of NATO expansion [] because of fears it could destabilize Russia. The Senator asked what the Ambassadors assessment is of the Alliance in terms of expansion destabilizing Russia.

In 2021, NATO for the first time identified systemic challenges posed by Chinas assertive behavior and coercive policies. And since then, it has sought to enhance cooperation with governments in the Indo-Pacific region, including Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea, and strengthened resilience guidelines for member states, including for critical infrastructure and supply chains, to maintain NATOs technological edge, said Sen. Menendez. Id offer this to anyone in the panel, what additional steps can the Alliance take to address challenges posed by China, and what type of agreement is there within the Alliance on the extent of these challenges?

Sen. Menendez also asked witnesses about their thoughts on NATO establishing cooperation with Arab nations as Iran-backed militia groups continue to sow chaos in the region.

In December, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg made a historic visit to Saudi Arabia, becoming the first sitting secretary-general to visit an Arab state, said Sen. Menendez. I applaud that he went, but it seems to me that its a totally different challenging theatre for NATOs engagement."

In November, during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing entitled U.S. National Security Interest in Ukraine, Sen. Menendez asked Secretary OBrien a series of questions regarding the impact of pulling support for Ukraine on U.S. national security, economy and relationship with allies.

In October, Sen. Menendez met with 25 members of the New Jersey delegation of the American Coalition for Ukraine to highlight the Senators advocacy on behalf of the country and Ukrainian-American citizens. The Senator has reaffirmed his unshakeable commitment to ensure Ukraine receives the resources it needs, and remains committed to calling out Russian aggressions and holding Putin accountable for his actions against the people of Ukraine.

In July, Sen. Menendez introduced the Responding to the Energy Security Crisis in Ukraine and Europe (RESCUE) Act of 2023, which addresses Ukraines fuel needs while helping it reconstruct and modernize its energy infrastructure. In January 2022, Sen. Menendez led 38 of his Senate Democratic colleagues in introducing the Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act, critical legislation to authorize security assistance for Ukraine and required sanctions against Russia.

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Sen. Menendez Questions Witnesses During SFRC Subcommittee Hearing About the Possible Process for Ukraine to ... - Senator Menendez