Sen. Mark Kelly joins congressional delegation to Finland, Baltic States
Sep 6, 2024, 1:03 PM
Arizona's U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly took part in a delegation to Finland and the Baltic states. (File photos: @CaptMarkKelly /via X, left, U.S. Dept. of State, right)
PHOENIX — U.S. Sen Mark Kelly of Arizona was one of six politicians who recently represented the nation in a delegation to Finland and the Baltic states.
The trip to bolster NATO’s defense and deterrent strategies took them to Finland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
“I am committed to working with my colleagues in Congress to put what we learned and discussed into action to support our allies and our own national security,” Kelly said in a news release Wednesday.
One of the main goals of the trip was to strengthen the American presence in the Baltics and across the eastern flank, which has been simmering with concerns due to its closeness to the Russia-Ukraine war.
RELATED STORIES
“In the face of continued Russian aggression, the security of the Baltics is critical to the security of the entire region,” Kelly said.
He commended the four countries for their efforts to boost their own defense capabilities in the wake of the war. The delegation also analyzed Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, along with its cyberattacks against all of Europe.
“In each country, we saw firsthand the commitment of our allies to the NATO alliance, to Ukraine, and to not only meet but exceed their defense responsibilities,” Kelly said.
Who else joined the trip to Finland and the Baltic states?
Aside from Kelly, the delegation was made up of several other politicians.
- Rep. Mike Rogers, an Alabama Republican.
- Rep. Adam Smith, a Washington Democrat.
- U.S. Sen. Ted Budd, a North Carolina Republican.
- Rep. Dale Strong, an Alabama Republican.
- Rep. Ritchie Torres, a New York Democrat.
Kelly said he wanted to reaffirm the country’s commitment to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin.
“Putin is a bully who only understands strength, which means that strengthening NATO’s eastern flank is essential to deterring further Russian aggression,” Kelly said. “As we continue to support Ukraine in its fight for freedom, we must also ensure that our Baltic allies remain well-equipped and ready to meet any challenge.”
