Biden Opens NATO Summit with Strong Support for Ukraine

President Joe Biden inaugurated the NATO summit on Tuesday with a compelling address celebrating the alliance’s 75th anniversary. The highly anticipated speech, delivered in Washington, D.C., aimed to project both confidence in NATO’s unity and a strong stance on Ukraine’s ongoing struggle against Russia. As Biden positions himself for a potential second term, his speech was crucial in demonstrating his capability to lead amid increasing scrutiny over his age and political viability.

In his address, Biden spoke for approximately 15 minutes, emphasizing the steadfast unity of NATO in supporting Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia. He asserted that “Ukraine can and will stop President Putin, especially with our full collective support,” underscoring the alliance’s commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s defense. This summit, which extends over three days, serves a dual purpose: it is an opportunity to reinforce NATO’s commitment to Ukraine and a platform for Biden to showcase his leadership abilities at a time when doubts about his candidacy for the 2024 presidential race are growing.

Biden highlighted significant advancements in NATO’s capabilities, noting that the alliance is now “better resourced than it has ever been.” He pointed out that 23 NATO member countries are now investing 2% or more of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) into defense, a significant increase from the nine countries that met this benchmark when he took office in January 2020. This increase reflects a broader trend of enhanced defense spending among member states, which Biden emphasized as a testament to NATO’s strengthened position.

The President also used the occasion to announce a new aid package for Ukraine, including advanced air defense equipment, aimed at bolstering the country’s defenses against Russian aggression. Additionally, Biden honored NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing his decade of leadership and commitment to strengthening the alliance. This gesture not only acknowledged Stoltenberg’s contributions but also reinforced the message of continued support and collaboration within NATO.

Biden’s speech came amid heightened attention and pressure regarding his potential candidacy for a second term. Since his less-than-stellar performance in the recent debate against former President Donald Trump, there has been a growing chorus of Democratic lawmakers urging him to reconsider his bid for the presidency. At least nine congressional Democrats have publicly called for Biden to step aside, signaling a divide within the party over his future. Despite these calls, Biden has remained firm in his intentions. In a recent letter to congressional Democrats, he asserted his conviction, stating, “I wouldn’t be running again if I did not absolutely believe I was the best person to beat Donald Trump in 2024.”

The NATO summit will continue with a series of high-profile engagements for Biden. On Wednesday, he is scheduled to host a meeting with the new U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House, followed by discussions with NATO members at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Additionally, he will host a dinner for heads of state at the White House, aimed at fostering further diplomatic relations and discussions on global security.

Thursday’s agenda includes a North Atlantic Council meeting and a NATO-Ukraine Council session, where Biden is expected to continue advocating for strong international support for Ukraine. He will also host an event with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, further emphasizing the alliance’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.

The culmination of the summit will be marked by Biden’s press conference on Thursday, his first open Q&A session with journalists since November 2022. This press conference is anticipated to attract significant media attention, as it will provide a platform for Biden to address ongoing concerns about his leadership and candidacy. Bloomberg journalist Justin Sink described the upcoming press conference as a “big boy press conference,” a phrase that Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and national security communications adviser John Kirby repeated during a White House briefing. This remark underscores the high expectations and intense scrutiny surrounding Biden’s public appearances and responses during the summit.