Biden addresses the leaders of NATO countries, emphasizes support for the alliance

2024-07-10 07:53:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Biden addresses the leaders of NATO countries, emphasizes support for the

Joe Biden

President Joe Biden addressed NATO leaders in a speech Tuesday in Washington, highlighting the alliance's unity against Russian aggression in Ukraine and underscoring the United States' ironclad commitment to the alliance as he heads the White House.

The message was apparently aimed at bolstering faltering support among his Democratic supporters as well as allies facing the possibility of a return to the White House by Republican Donald Trump.

President Biden has been trying to convince voters and donors that he is up for re-election after a poor showing in the presidential debate with Mr Trump.

He has tried to prove himself through electoral campaigns, through a defiant letter addressed to Democratic lawmakers and now at the NATO high-level meeting, conveying the message that he is ready for another four years in the White House.

"Today, NATO is stronger than ever, with 32 nations strong," Mr. Biden said as he welcomed leaders to an evening to mark the alliance's 75th anniversary. "It's a good thing that we are stronger than ever, because this historic moment needs our collective strength," he said with a strong voice and head held high.

The NATO meeting comes at a testing moment for Democrat Biden's presidency. Some House Democrats have publicly called on him to drop his campaign for the White House. Other lawmakers, in private conversations, have urged Mr. Biden to step down while high-profile donors have raised concerns about his ability to run against Republican Trump. President Biden will face important and difficult conversations about global security during the NATO meeting in the US capital.

The White House is also seeking to show American voters that Mr. Biden has the strength to best handle busy meeting days, formal evening talks, long diplomatic dinners and a press conference at the end of a NATO meeting. -s.

In a speech Tuesday afternoon, President Biden announced major steps the United States and other NATO countries are taking to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses.

The US, Germany and Romania are donating additional units of Patriot missiles, while the Netherlands and other allies will donate additional components for a unit of Patriot missiles. Italy announced last month that it is sending a SAMP/T defense system to Ukraine.

Other allies, including Canada, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom will provide other systems aimed at improving Ukraine's defenses.

"This is a key moment for Europe, the transatlantic community and the world," said Mr. Biden. President Biden honored outgoing NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The NATO summit gives President Biden his first chance to meet face-to-face with the new British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, after last week's phone call to congratulate him on his election victory. President Biden will meet with the British Prime Minister on Wednesday and President Zelenzky on Thursday.

The leaders of the 32 member countries of the alliance and partners of the Pacific, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, as well as Ukraine, are participating in the NATO meeting in Washington. /VOA