VILNIUS (Reuters) – President Joe Biden is set to deliver a powerful speech highlighting diplomatic successes in war-weary Europe at the NATO summit on Wednesday. This address will celebrate the unity of the U.S.-led alliance, particularly regarding Ukraine, as a promise to restore harmony in a divided world.
During his visit to Lithuania, following a two-day meeting near Russia’s doorstep, President Biden aims to emphasize the new assistance offered to Ukraine and the vital role the United States played in welcoming Sweden into the military alliance. Despite divisions among Western governments on how to bring an end to the war in Ukraine, Biden’s speech intends to rally allies and showcase his global leadership before his 2024 re-election campaign. His focus will be on healing divisions both domestically and internationally.
A White House official revealed that in his speech, President Biden will convey the message that the summit has marked a “high point of allied unity” and highlight how the world has come together to support the people of Ukraine. Additionally, he will stress the importance of building on this unity to address other crucial challenges, such as climate change, emerging technologies, and threats to the rules-based international order.
Behind the scenes, U.S. officials faced challenges in reaching a consensus on the trajectory of the war, how to bring it to a close, and what assurances to provide Ukraine regarding its future in the Atlantic military alliance. However, despite Ukraine’s desire for a formal invitation to join NATO or at least a specific timetable for accession, the statement from NATO allies did not offer such commitments. It stated that Ukraine would join eventually when all allies agree and certain conditions are met.
Before departing for the summit, President Biden disregarded allies’ concerns and authorized the provision of cluster munitions to Ukraine to aid in its conflict with Russia.
This approach starkly contrasts with former President Donald Trump, who had considered withdrawing from the alliance, founded at the beginning of the Cold War in 1949. By positioning the United States as the driving force behind NATO’s strengthening, President Biden is establishing his leadership and distinguishing himself from potential Republican challengers, such as Trump.
Ivo Daalder, president of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, acknowledged Russia’s invasion as the key factor that led Sweden to join NATO. However, he emphasized the important role played by President Biden in addressing objections from Turkey, particularly regarding the wording of geographic locations like Cyprus, which delayed the approval of the alliance’s new regional defense plans.
Daalder praised Biden, stating, “The unheralded story of…this president is that he demonstrates the capacity to walk and chew gum at the same time. He has strengthened alliances in Europe and across Asia in a way that frankly, no other president has, certainly since the end of the Cold War.”
The majority of Republicans vying to challenge President Biden in the 2024 election have remained silent on his performance at the NATO summit. This suggests that they see little to gain by criticizing him, as polls indicate broad unity in the United States regarding Washington’s approach to the Russian invasion 500 days ago.
Former President Trump, who has long admired Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressed skepticism about prolonged U.S. involvement in the Ukraine war, criticized President Biden’s decision to provide munitions to Ukraine. Trump faces a primary contest against candidates like former Vice President Mike Pence and former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, both of whom have advocated for increased support for Ukraine. Haley specifically criticized the NATO alliance and President Biden for not committing to adding Ukraine.
(Reporting by Steve Holland in Vilnius, Lithuania, and Trevor Hunnicutt in Washington; Additional reporting by Jonathan Landay, Sabine Siebold, Andrew Gray, and John Irish; Editing by Heather Timmons and Howard Goller)
Credit: The Star : News Feed
