Sen. Josh Hawley becomes first senator to oppose Finland and Sweden joining NATO as Russia's unprovoked attack on Ukraine approaches the 6-month mark

The first senator to announce his opposition to the alliance was Missouri's Josh Hawley, who wrote in an op-ed that he does not believe the US should throw its support behind Sweden.

"America's greatest foreign adversary doesn't loom over Europe," wrote Hawley.

There is a loom in Asia. I am talking about the people's republic of china. The American people should know that the United States is not going to resist Chinese rule. Adding American security commitments in Europe would make that problem worse.

After Russia started its war in Ukraine, the two Nordic countries tried to join the alliance.

The pro-Russia shift in the right of the party was demonstrated in July when 18 House Republican lawmakers voted against approving a measure supporting the alliance. Some of the GOP's furthest right members were included in the opposition.

The Senate will soon vote on NATO membership for Sweden and Finns. The United States would have to defend both countries in the event of a military attack. He said that he would vote no because of the threat of Chinese Imperialism.

According to The Hill, the senate could vote on the alliance within a week.