U.S. President Joe Biden and leaders of other NATO member states are set to announce new aid for Ukraine at their annual summit in Washington on July 10.
Mr. Biden, 81, facing questions about his fitness for office, is looking to use the summit as an opportunity to show his leadership alongside allied leaders he has built relationships with during his time in office.
In a strong speech, Mr. Biden praised the collective security alliance as stronger than ever before and now the focus shifts to addressing key issues, including the ongoing conflict between the West and Russia over Ukraine.
Other security concerns such as the Israel-Gaza conflict and the relationships between Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea will also be on the agenda.
The upcoming U.S. elections could bring changes in Washington’s stance towards Ukraine and NATO, with Republican candidate Donald Trump questioning aid to Ukraine and U.S. support for allies.
During the summit, Mr. Biden is expected to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for discussions, as well as host a dinner for NATO leaders.
A long war?
A senior NATO official stated that Russia may not have the capacity for a major offensive in Ukraine but could sustain its war economy for several more years. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is seeking increased support from NATO to counter Russian aggression.
While Ukraine aims to join NATO to enhance its security, approval from all alliance members is required, with some cautious of provoking Russia.
Efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s ties with NATO are ongoing, with additional aid announcements expected at the summit marking the alliance’s 75th anniversary.
