WASHINGTON — The US Senate voted overwhelmingly Monday to advance the approval of Montenegro as the newest member of NATO, in what supporters of the alliance’s expansion argue would send a stern message to Russia. The procedural step, which advanced on a 97-2 vote, sets up a final approval in the chamber in the coming days. "It is strongly in the interests of the United States that Montenegro’s membership in NATO be ratified," Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told Senate leaders in a March 7 letter. As with all international treaties, a two-thirds majority is required for final Senate approval. Besides the United States, the Netherlands and Spain have yet to ratify Montenegro’s membership.

Source: Viet Nam News March 27, 2017 22:41 UTC