WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Ranking Member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee; Mark Warner (D-Va.), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence; Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Jack Reed (D-R.I), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee; Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees; and U.S. Representatives Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee; and Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), Ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence released the following statement about the announcement of a new European security agreement:
 
“We applaud the bold new steps outlined by our European partners to strengthen their defense and stand with Ukraine on the frontlines of democracy. This historic announcement paves the way for more than $800b in additional defense investments across the continent and shows that the leaders of Europe are clear-eyed about the dangers we face and are willing to rise to the challenge. They understand that a Europe that is whole, free, and at peace rests on strengthening our collective defense and deterrence, particularly in the face of a growing alignment between our adversaries in China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. 
 
“This announcement also demonstrates Europe’s resolve in working to secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Ukraine must come to the negotiating table from as strong a position as possible in pursuit of a deal that protects Ukrainian sovereignty, strengthens transatlantic security, and ensures that Putin and his fellow dictators understand that aggression will never triumph over the drive for freedom. Our own nation’s strategy towards Ukraine was driven by that reality. For the past three years, we’ve been helping Ukraine on the battlefield to ensure it has the strongest position at the negotiating table. We know Putin will only stop when we stop him, and Ukrainian troops have been bravely fighting and dying to achieve that goal without putting any of our own servicemembers in harm’s way. That must continue. Now, the Europeans, who have already contributed more to Ukraine’s war effort than we have, have pledged major increases in defense spending and investments and signaled that they will take the lead in crafting a package of security guarantees to give Ukraine the best chance to ensure their security and bring the war to an end. The United States is stronger and safer when we stand with our partners in Europe, and we must continue to do so.”

###