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WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, reflected on his recent trip to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Ankara, Türkiye. During the summit, they discussed congressional support for the transatlantic relationship, the war in Iran, as well as continued Russian aggression and interference in western democracies.
During his remarks, Durbin reflected on the life and legacy of Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) who attended the summit before his passing. Senator Graham was passionate about helping our Ukrainian allies.
“Lindsey knew the stakes at play in Ukraine and the importance of standing up to Russian tyranny. This topic was top of mind for all those attending the NATO Summit, which concluded late last week,” said Durbin. “With the war in Ukraine entering its fifth bloody year, the timing of this event was important as tides begin to turn in Ukraine’s favor. Not only did Ukraine repel the initial invasion by one of the world’s largest armies, but it is increasingly showing progress in winning the conflict. Russia has been unable to seize additional land and is suffering staggering losses—losses that no political leader can sustain for a war of folly.”
“I am happy to report from the NATO Summit that the alliance remains determined to see Ukraine defend itself from Russia. Most of the 32-member bloc—formed from the ashes of World War II—have notably increased their defense spending. They are contributing more funding, equipment, and personnel and are reminding one another of their commitment to—and the importance of—this historic alliance,” said Durbin.
Durbin then spoke about President Trump’s recent comments on various foreign relations matters.
“I was glad President Trump attended the summit—he and President Obama were right to push our allies to pay more of their fair share for the cost of NATO. But President Trump’s constant rhetoric belittling the alliance and dreams of conquering Greenland have been ill timed, boorish, and counterproductive. They send exactly the wrong message to President Putin about American resolve and commitment. They put countries such as the Baltic states and Poland at even greater risk of future Russian aggression,” Durbin continued.
Durbin noted that Congress must do more to help our Ukrainian allies. He noted that we should continue to keep U.S. troop deployments as part of NATO efforts and that we should pass one of the two bipartisan Ukraine bills pending in this chamber—one of them being a sanctions package that Senator Graham worked tirelessly to build support for.
During his trip overseas, Durbin also traveled to Hungary.
“There was recently an election in Hungary that unseated Viktor Orbán after 16 years—a period that included democratic backsliding and being a thorn in the side of European efforts to help Ukraine. I want to congratulate the Hungarian people on this peaceful transfer of power and decision to play a more constructive role in European security, including standing with Ukraine. Theirs is a welcome choice that we should support here in the Senate—something I will do in my remaining time,” said Durbin.
Durbin was joined on the NATO summit trip by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Foreign Relations Committee, Chris Coons (D-DE), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and U.S. Representative Mike Turner (R-OH-10). Senator Graham joined the delegation for several key meetings.
Durbin then concluded his speech by providing an update on Iran after President Trump declared that the ceasefire with Iran was over after the United States launched a wave of retaliatory strikes in response to Iran firing on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
“I wish I could say I am surprised, but I am not. President Trump started this war with a genuine destabilizing regime without thinking it through... Iran’s response—striking U.S. and allied targets in the region and holding the Strait and global economy hostage—were easily foreseeable. The Iranian regime, much like Vladimir Putin in Russia, seems to be repeatedly trying to humiliate the United States and play for time,” Durbin continued.
“The original misstep may have occurred even earlier, when President Trump withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear agreement during his first term, a deal that was working to restrain Iran’s nuclear ambitions. And now, we seem to be floundering back into a much weaker deal, one that that bewilderingly includes billions of dollars to help Iran rebuild. I hope wiser heads will prevail and I look forward to Congressional review of any ensuing deal with Iran as required under the bipartisan Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act,” Durbin concluded.
Video of Durbin’s floor speech is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s floor speech is available here.
