NATO summit in Washington focuses on Ukraine, alliance spending as Biden announces more aid
President Biden announced countries would send more aid to Ukraine, as the alliance attempts to project unity in defending Ukraine.
President Biden announced countries would send more aid to Ukraine, as the alliance attempts to project unity in defending Ukraine.
President Biden announced countries would send more aid to Ukraine, as the alliance attempts to project unity in defending Ukraine.
NATO's three-day summit is underway in Washington, with President Joe Biden's performance under intense scrutiny amid questions about his physical and mental fitness.
On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to world leaders and to U.S. lawmakers, asking for immediate and decisive action.
"It's time to step out of the shadows to make strong decisions work, to act and not to wait for November," Zelenskyy said. "I hope that the United States will never go out from the NATO, otherwise, the world will lose a lot of countries."
Zelenskyy has also warned that the U.S. election is a factor for both Ukraine and NATO, as some Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, have questioned full support for the alliance ahead of the November election.
At the opening of the NATO summit, Biden announced a fresh barrage of aid, including at least four patriot air defense systems, a key request from Ukraine.
"Today, I'm announcing the historic donation of air defense equipment for Ukraine," said Biden. The United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, and Italy will provide Ukraine with the equipment for five additional strategic air defense systems.
Germany, Italy, Romania, and the Netherlands are also contributing air defense systems while Canada, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom are sending more military aid.
Following Biden's remarks, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reaffirmed a minimum 2% military spending baseline for Ukraine.
"There are no cost-free options with an aggressive Russia as a neighbor," Stoltenberg said. "There are no risk-free options in a war. And remember: the biggest cost and the greatest risk will be if Russia wins in Ukraine."
But an invitation for Ukraine to join the alliance is unlikely until the war is over. Membership could violate Article 5 of the alliance, which states an attack on one country is an attack on all.
Many countries, including the U.S, have been hesitant on sending NATO boots on the ground. Instead, the alliance is considering offering "a bridge to membership," requiring Ukraine fulfill specific government, economic and law reforms in order to join.