UPDATE - US lawmakers welcome Türkiye's support for Sweden's NATO bid

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By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - A group of US Congress members on Monday welcomed Türkiye's support for Sweden's entry into NATO as the Nordic country moves toward becoming the 32nd member of the transatlantic alliance.

“I am pleased to hear that Turkey will be moving forward shortly to ratify Sweden’s accession to NATO. I hope Hungary will move soon as well," Senator Jim Risch, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement.

Noting that "this is long overdue, as the United States and other NATO allies took this step nearly a year ago," Risch said "NATO is more important now than ever before as autocrats around the world continue to push boundaries, literally and metaphorically."

“In specific, (Russian President) Vladimir Putin fears the values of liberty and justice that NATO was created to defend," he said, noting that Putin "pushed the alliance to grow stronger" by launching the war against Ukraine.

"However, a stronger and larger NATO does not just deter Putin. (Chinese President) Xi Jinping is watching closely to see how the alliance responds to Russia’s efforts to invade Ukraine, hoping that he can eventually take Taiwan. NATO cannot and will not give one inch of our territory and will stand strong with our allies and those who seek their own free and sovereign path," he said in the statement.

“Above all, I look forward to welcoming Sweden into the NATO alliance and what it will bring to the greatest political-military alliance in world history," he added.

Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat, said "Sweden’s accession to NATO will strengthen our united front for democracy — and strike another blow to Putin during a pivotal moment in the war in Ukraine."

"Glad to see Turkey finally got on board," he added.

House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Republican Michael McCaul said it was "great news for Sweden and NATO."

"Sweden’s accession will add a highly capable and strategically located ally that will be a security provider for NATO as a whole," he wrote on Twitter

“It will also send a powerful signal to Putin that the alliance is more united in the face of Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression. I urge #Türkiye and #Hungary to vote on Sweden’s NATO membership immediately," he added.

Republican Senator Thom Tillis from the state of North Carolina said Türkiye's support for Sweden's NATO membership is "welcome news.”

"I was a strong advocate of the Senate’s ratification of Sweden’s accession to NATO, as this will strengthen the NATO alliance and expand working partnerships across the globe to counter Putin’s aggression," he wrote on Twitter.

Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen said the "historic significance of this news cannot be understated."

"I commend all parties for working together to strengthen the Alliance, and for their commitment to our collective defense. I look forward to formally welcoming Sweden as the newest member of the NATO family," she wrote on Twitter.

Republican Senator Jerry Moran from the state of Kansas said on Twitter that he awaits "details of the agreement" but added that "this is great news for a stronger NATO."

"Sweden's membership, along with Finland's, represents another example of the strategic blunder Putin has made by invading Ukraine," he wrote.

Democratic Representative Steve Cohen, who is the ranking member of the House Aviation Subcommittee, said on Twitter that whatever moved Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan “to advance Sweden’s entry into NATO is the appropriate end for world peace and European security from Russian imperialism.”

"I suspect President (Joe) Biden was a major factor. Kudos to Erdogan," he added.

Democratic Representative Gerry Connolly said Sweden's entry into NATO is a "very welcome step forward for the Alliance."

"I look forward to Sweden’s accession into NATO and the many benefits that will come with it. NATO will be stronger and Europe more secure with their addition," he added.