WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), a senior member of the Armed Services Committee (HASC), recently returned from traveling to Italy and Greece as part of a bipartisan Congressional delegation to review U.S. contributions to NATO’s defense and deterrence mission in response to Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. During the trip, Larsen met with servicemembers from Washington state supporting U.S. and NATO missions, including airmen with the U.S. Air Force’s 31st Fighter Wing stationed at Aviano Air Base and U.S. Army soldiers stationed at Vicenza Army Garrison.

Larsen, along with Reps. Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), reviewed U.S. and NATO missions at Joint Forces Command Naples, Aviano Air Base and Vicenza Army Garrison in Italy and Naval Support Activity Souda Bay in Greece. The bipartisan trip follows a similar delegation Larsen participated in with HASC Chair Adam Smith (WA-09) to review U.S. and NATO missions in Eastern Europe in August 2021.

“As Putin continues his unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, all eyes are on the critical role NATO and its alliance members, including the United States, continue to play to defend NATO countries, uphold democracy and support the Ukrainian people. As a senior member of the Armed Services Committee, I remain focused on meeting immediate and future needs to support U.S. and NATO missions in Southern Europe while ensuring the United States is prepared to meet global challenges.”

Larsen is a strong supporter of U.S. actions with allies and partners to help Ukraine defend itself and hold Putin accountable for his unprovoked war. In March, Larsen supported $13.6 billion in humanitarian, security and financial aid for Ukraine in the Fiscal Year 2022 spending package. Larsen also supports the ongoing ban on Russian oil and gas to further isolate the Russian economy. Last week, the Russian government levied sanctions against Larsen and 397 other members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

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