President Joe Biden on Tuesday opened the NATO summit in Washington, which this year marks the 75th anniversary of the military alliance, as he sets off to prove to those at home and abroad that he is equipped to handle another four years in office.
Biden used the formal speech to hail the alliance as the “bulwark of global security,” praising member countries for coming to America’s defense after the 9/11 terror attacks and adding two new members, Finland and Sweden, in the last two years.
“Today, NATO is more powerful than ever,” Biden declared.
The president specifically noted the increase in defense spending among those in NATO, pointing out that 23 countries in the 32-member alliance are now dedicating the targeted threshold of 2% of their GDP on defense – up from nine countries when he took office.
“It’s remarkable progress,” Biden said. “It’s good that we’re stronger than ever because this moment in history calls for our collective strength,” he said before going on to pledge steadfast support for Ukraine as it fights off Russia’s invasion.
Biden announced that the U.S. and other NATO allies will provide Ukraine with new air defense systems. It will include patriot batteries from the U.S., Germany, and Romania; patriot components from the Netherlands and others; and a SAMP-T system from Italy, according to a joint statement.
“Make no mistake, Ukraine can and will stop Putin,” Biden said, “especially with our full, collective support – and they have all our full support.”
Allies will make several announcements at this week’s summit, White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby told reporters on Monday, that he said are a part of “a bridge to Ukraine’s NATO membership.”
White House press secretary Karine Jean Pierre told reporters on Tuesday that Biden will sit-down with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on Thursday amid the summit.
The Democratic President on Tuesday also sought to present NATO as a unifying force at home, saying a “bipartisan majority of Americans understand that NATO makes us all safer,” and even quoting former GOP President Ronald Reagan.
“As President Reagan put it, and I quote: ‘If our fellow democracies are not secure, we cannot be secure. If you are threatened, we are threatened. If you are not at peace, we cannot be at peace,’” Biden said. “Reagan knew it then and we know it now.”
The strength of NATO under his leadership is something Biden has sought to make a part of his 2024 pitch to voters.
He often attempts to draw a contrast on the issue with his 2024 rival, former President Donald Trump, who has been critical of the alliance, particularly how much the U.S. spends on defense compared to other members, and earlier this year said he would encourage Russia to do what it wants to NATO member countries who do not meet defense spending targets.
But it comes as Biden has been facing headwinds at home after a disappointing debate performance last month that sparked calls from some in his own party for the commander in chief to drop out of the race.
The president has forcefully pledged he isn’t going anywhere and has sought to rally congressional democrats, donors, governors and his own staff in recent days. This week’s NATO summit, where Biden will also hold a solo press conference on Thursday, is seen as a critical opportunity for the president to show both those in the Democratic party at home and other foreign leaders on the world stage that he can defeat his opponent and is ready for another term in the White House.