< p>US President Joe Biden welcomed NATO leaders to Washington on Tuesday for an annual summit that gives the embattled Democrat an international stage and a chance to convince allies at home and abroad that he is still can still lead the country, reports "Reuters".
Biden, 81, has vowed to continue in his race against Republican Donald Trump, 78, despite concerns from Capitol Hill Democrats and donors that he will lose the Nov. 5 election after the June 27 debate ends.
Biden has made rebuilding the United States' traditional alliances abroad and countering the threat of autocracies a centerpiece of his foreign policy, after Trump challenged allies as part of an "America First" approach.
Trump has suggested that, in a second term, he would not defend NATO members who have failed to meet the alliance's defense spending target of 2 percent of their respective GDPs if they come under military attack. He also questioned the amount of aid given to Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion.
Aides said Biden's opening speech, expected at 5:00 p.m. ET (midnight Bulgarian time), will highlight what his administration sees as a key achievement: a stronger and more united NATO under Washington's leadership. with more members and a determination to meet their collective security needs.
According to them, this brings tangible results for American voters: a safer country, with a strong international economic position, more alliances and power abroad, and less risk of conflict with its adversaries.
"This is no accident," White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Monday. "It's because of the leadership. This is because of the permanent management of the alliance."
The very presence of leaders from NATO and beyond shows Biden's power to assemble coalitions and inspire confidence, Kirby said, arguments Trump and many of his Republican allies reject.
"Republicans, of course, celebrate the peace and prosperity that NATO has brought and will continue to stand by our partners as we prevent unnecessary wars," said US House Speaker Mike Johnson, a leading Republican and a Trump ally. But we also believe that NATO needs to do more.
NATO, celebrating its 75th anniversary, has found new purpose in opposing Russian President Vladimir Putin's encroachment and welcomed Finland and Sweden as new members.
The grueling war between Ukraine and Russia will dominate the closed-door talks between the leaders of NATO's 32 member states, who have a full agenda focused on military and financial aid to Ukraine and offering some path to eventual membership NATO of Kiev.
But those leaders, already alarmed by the prospect of Trump's return, come to Washington with new concerns about Biden's stamina, according to diplomats from their countries. One described Biden as wounded after a difficult political period and said their government was looking for signs of whether he would survive.
More than a week after the debate, Biden continues to face daily questions about his health and ability to serve as president. Some Democratic lawmakers called on him to end his campaign.
Jorn Fleck, senior director of the Atlantic Council's European Center, said questions about Biden's survival were "absolutely on everyone's mind" and raised the prospect of Trump winning the US election and weakening the alliance.
NATO leaders face political uncertainty in Europe, with paralysis looming in France after gains by left and far-right parties and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition weakened after a poor showing in European Parliament elections.
The week's events in Washington will give Biden a chance to address concerns, including a high-profile speech on Tuesday and a rare solo press conference on Thursday.
Biden will also highlight new support for Ukraine. At the summit, NATO leaders are expected to approve an initiative that would have the alliance coordinate the supply of arms and training to Ukrainian forces fighting Russia's invasion. They can also get more air defense support.
Ukraine eventually wants to join NATO to protect itself from further future attacks by Russia, but applicants must be approved by all members of the alliance, some of whom are wary of provoking outright war with Russia.
Moscow views NATO as a vehicle for US dominance and has accused the alliance of returning to Cold War thinking.
US officials said the summit would offer Ukraine a "bridge to membership," which would include new NATO efforts to coordinate arms supplies and training.
Some members want the Alliance to clarify that Ukraine's path to NATO is "irreversible" and they want precise language in a statement coming out of the summit to go beyond the alliance's promise last year that Ukraine's "future is in NATO.".
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to attend the meeting and meet with Biden.