WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden is set to embark on a crucial European trip to reinforce the international coalition against Russian aggression as the conflict in Ukraine enters its second year.
President Biden’s five-day journey will center around the annual NATO summit, taking place this year in Vilnius, Lithuania. The trip will also include stops in Helsinki, Finland, to commemorate Finland’s recent entry into the 31-nation military alliance, and Britain, as announced by the White House on Sunday.
The European tour will commence next Sunday in London, where President Biden will meet with King Charles III. Notably, the president had not attended Charles’s coronation in May, having sent First Lady Jill Biden to represent the United States. In June, President Biden hosted British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the White House, during which both leaders pledged unwavering cooperation in defense of Ukraine.
The NATO summit is scheduled at a crucial juncture in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. According to Ukrainian military leaders, counteroffensive and defensive actions against Russian forces are currently underway, with Ukrainian troops making strides in reclaiming territory in the southeastern part of the country.
Last month, Jens Stoltenberg, NATO’s secretary-general, visited the White House, underscoring the alliance’s firm unity in defending Ukraine. During this meeting, President Biden emphasized the commitment of each NATO member country to allocate 2% of their gross domestic product to defense spending.
“The NATO allies have never been more united. We both worked like hell to make sure that happened. And so far, so good,” stated President Biden during the meeting, alongside Stoltenberg, who is expected to extend his term for another year. “We see our joint strength in modernizing the relationship within NATO, as well as providing assistance to defense capabilities to Ukraine.”
Finland’s recent inclusion in NATO, doubling Russia’s border with the security alliance, has been highlighted by President Biden as evidence of Moscow’s diminishing influence.
While Sweden is also seeking entry into NATO, some alliance members, including Turkey and Hungary, have yet to endorse the move. To demonstrate solidarity, President Biden will host Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson at the White House on Wednesday, as the United States pushes for Sweden’s entry into NATO.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed concerns about Sweden’s approach to handling terrorist groups and security threats. However, Stoltenberg affirmed that Sweden has met its membership obligations by enacting stringent anti-terrorist laws and other measures.
On the other hand, Hungary’s reasons for opposing Sweden’s NATO entry have been less defined, citing criticism of democratic backsliding and the erosion of the rule of law. Hungary, which provides humanitarian aid to Ukraine, attempts to balance its relations with both NATO and Russia, given its heavy reliance on Russia for energy needs.
Notably, all NATO member nations must ratify the entry of a new member country.
The White House has firmly stated that Sweden has fulfilled its commitments for NATO membership and urged a swift accession to the alliance. President Biden’s upcoming European trip aims to solidify NATO’s position and enhance collective defense against Russian aggression, while reaffirming the alliance’s commitment to supporting Ukraine during these critical times.
