WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Tuesday made the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted to ratify North Macedonia as NATO’s 30th member. The vote was 91-2.

“This is an historic day for the people of North Macedonia, the NATO alliance, and the free world. As Putin continues to undermine democracies and weaken US-led alliances, the Senate’s vote to ratify North Macedonia’s NATO membership is a signal of Congress’s commitment to stand with our allies to fight the Kremlin’s efforts. This vote is also an affirmation that NATO’s door remains open to democratic countries willing to do the hard work to meet NATO’s military and political requirements for membership. I am reminded that the brave diplomatic efforts by Prime Minister Zaev and Prime Minister Tsipras paved the way for this day that brings us closer to the goal of a Europe whole, free and at peace,” said Murphy.

Murphy, in his capacity as ranking member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation in the last Congress, has been very supportive of North Macedonia joining NATO. Last year, Murphy traveled to Skopje and held meetings in support of NATO, and introduced a bipartisan resolution with U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) supporting an agreement with Greece.

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