Ted Budd

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, returned earlier this month from leading a bipartisan Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to Belgium, Moldova, Ukraine, Sweden, and Austria. CODEL Budd, which occurred prior to the 2026 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit, met with Heads of State and senior defense leaders in each country to discuss the continent’s regional security challenges, reiterate the importance of the NATO Alliance, and to examine how the United States and Europe can partner to counter threats posed by the Russian Federation.

Senator Budd was joined by his colleagues, U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Alan Armstrong (R-Okla.) on the CODEL.

“The security of the United States and Europe is inseparable. As Russia continues its campaign of aggression in Ukraine and threatens the security of Eastern Europe and the Baltics, our partnership with our European allies remains indispensable to deterring adversarial aggression and maintaining Europe’s strength to defend itself. By leading this CODEL ahead of the NATO Summit, my colleagues and I sought to reaffirm the strength of the NATO Alliance and express our unwavering support for the U.S.-European partnership to promote security, prosperity, and freedom for our citizens,” said Senator Budd.

BELGIUM

CODEL Budd began in Brussels, Belgium, with a meeting with the Commander of U.S. European Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander, General Alexus Grynkeiwch, during which they discussed U.S. force posture on the continent, European defense spending improvements, opportunities to partner with European countries to combat Russian and terrorism threats, and the current operational situation in Ukraine. The Senators also met with the Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Belgium, Theo Francken, to discuss the defense and trade partnership between the United States and Belgium and opportunities to co-produce defense technology in Europe which would benefit U.S. companies. Additionally, CODEL Budd met with U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, Bill White, and the U.S. Ambassador to NATO, Matt Whitaker, ahead of their meetings with various European Heads of State to discuss the U.S.-European partnership.

MOLDOVA

In Chișinău, the capital of Moldova, CODEL Budd visited the Presidential Palace to meet with President Maia Sandu. During their meeting with the Moldovan President, the Senators demonstrated support for and a commitment to strengthening U.S.-Moldovan relations. The delegation also gained a deeper understanding of Moldova’s security challenges to address Russian hybrid threats.

Additionally, the CODEL visited the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, where they met with the Speaker of Parliament, Igor Grosu, to discuss the North Carolina National Guard’s (NCNG) vital relationship with the Moldovan military, energy security vulnerabilities, and opportunities to advance the U.S.-Moldova trade partnership.

UKRAINE

In Odesa, Ukraine, the delegation toured the country’s state-owned energy substation, where they examined the country’s civilian energy infrastructure and discussed the impact of Russian strikes. Additionally, the Senators observed Ukrainian counter-drone operations in the Black Sea, including systems procured from U.S. companies, and received a war update briefing from senior Ukrainian defense officials. The delegation held a round table discussion with the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine where Senators learned about the challenges and opportunities for the 600+ U.S. businesses operating in the conflict zone.

SWEDEN

The delegation met with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard to discuss Swedish integration into NATO, the Russian threat in the Baltic Sea and Arctic, countering malign Chinese economic activities, and opportunities to expand U.S.-Sweden trade relations. Additionally, they discussed the Technology Prosperity Deal between the U.S. and Sweden to collaborate on AI innovation, biomedical research, energy leadership, and a secure quantum ecosystem.

AUSTRIA

In Vienna, Austria, CODEL Budd sat down with Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger to discuss U.S.-Austria relations, energy security, opportunities to enhance U.S.-European Union trade relations, and the extent of Russian influence and activity in the region.

###