At the top of NATO, Biden wants to demonstrate that he is still ready for the process

Washington (AP) – NATO leader Gathering at Washington Convocation on Tuesday Plan to increase transatlantic aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russia. However for host President Joe Biden, the situation has changed a lot demonstrating that he is successful To meet the difficult demands of the presidency for four additional years.

The heads of orders from Europe and the North are facing the anticipation of the United States NATO skeptic Donald Trump returns As Biden tries to save his re-election campaign, which has soured after his June 27 debate performance against Trump.

The President said his work at the top, where NATO is celebrating 75 years, could be an effective way to pass judgment on his continued talent for doing this job. His work includes uniting NATO members in a strong response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the first example of his steady leadership, and some of the reasons for his contributions to the White House every other four years.

“Our allies are looking for American leadership,” Biden said in an MSNBC interview on Monday. “Who else do you think can come here and do this? I expanded NATO. I strengthened NATO. I made sure that we are in a situation where we have a coalition of countries around the world to deal with China, Russia and whatever is going on in the world. “We are making real progress.”

Biden, who will deliver remarks next Tuesday to mark the annual NATO milestone, is stressful To inspire citizens and donors that he is still engaged in the process. he is making his case marketing campaign pathIn a defiant letter Democratic lawmakers and every way pleasant media interview For several days on end. However, he is facing suspicion from some old colleagues.

Six Democratic field members have publicly called on Biden to abandon his campaign; Alternative lawmakers have advised him to step aside in non-public conversations, and several other high-profile donors have raised concerns about his viability in a race against Trump.

The White Area hopes to prove to wavering Democrats that Biden still has what it takes after a busy few days of formal top meetings, sideline conversations with leaders, long diplomatic dinners and receptions and a summit-ending press conference. Expected to happen during. conference.

In his remarks apparently at the top, Biden is expected to talk about his leadership within NATO during his presidency and the ongoing steps the U.S. and allies have taken to boost Ukraine’s wind security. Will refer to, as per an American official General. Subject. The distinguished person spoke on condition of anonymity to preview the president’s comments.

Several senior leadership officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity about internal conversations, say the president presents a strong grasp on broader issues — Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the blackmail posed by China — but specific and incremental activities. But in the case of conflicts the international arena or groups may be troubled by, Biden is sometimes at a loss for words or seems uninterested in how to address them.

On the other hand, officials say there is no emergency in Biden’s confidence in the general psychological system — at least not yet.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz informed Newshound before heading to Berlin on Tuesday that he had no concerns about Biden’s fitness. “I know from my many conversations with the US President that he has prepared this summit with us very well and very precisely,” Scholz said.

Being on top will give Biden his first chance to satisfy one-on-one Untouchable British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Biden called Starmer last fall to congratulate her on her victory and plans to host her on Wednesday for talks on white areas. Biden is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday on the sidelines of the summit.

The Labor Party leader shrugged off concerns about Biden’s psychological acuity during their telephone call, according to a spokesman for the prime minister, who spoke about the private call on condition of anonymity.

Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, the head of Italy’s anti-immigrant League birthday party, said Biden’s “health situation doesn’t look very good to me.” “It seems very important to me that the head of the United States be healthy,” said Salvini, a young member of Premier Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government.

The gathering of leaders from 32 NATO countries – plus Pacific partners Australia, Japan, the United Zealand and South Korea, as well as Ukraine – is expected to be one of Biden’s final appearances on a world stage before Election Day. moves forward Republican Nationwide Convention at that time In milwaukee.

Biden has tried to highlight his steadfastness towards the alliance besides claiming to the citizens that he would turn his back on NATO if Trump were to go back to the White Area.

Trump has repeatedly criticized fellow NATO contributors for failing to meet the agreed target of spending a minimum of 2% of gross domestic product on security. EU concerns were heightened in February when Trump, in a campaign tone, warned NATO allies that he would “encourage” the Russians. “They can do whatever they want.” If it returns to the White Area then to international locations that do not meet defense spending targets.

Trump has criticized Biden for an offer “Endless flow of US treasury” into Ukraine., Republican extras have recently expressed openness lend cash In turn, Ukraine’s self-determination is impressive for the United States.

Biden’s aides have reworked it, noting NATO’s announcement last year that 23 of 32 member states were meeting the alliance’s security spending targets at this pace. When Biden became President in 2021, 9 member countries were meeting.

Biden has also taken credit for NATO expansion. Finland and Sweden both joined following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

“This is not an accident,” said John Kirby, a national security spokesman for White Area. “It’s because of leadership. This is due to the continued leadership of the alliance and other partnerships around the world. “The President’s record speaks for itself.”

NATO is expected to announce the main points of Ukraine’s path to joining the alliance at the top level. NATO, which is built on the fundamental agreement that an attack on one member is an attack on all members, has said it will not bring Ukraine into the fold until the war with Russia ends.

Kirby said the leaders also will talk about efforts to create a coordination center in Germany to help train, equip and coordinate logistics for Ukraine’s military for potentially joining NATO.

“It might be easy to look around in Washington this week and look at NATO’s unity, resolve, capabilities and say, this is the natural order of things,” said Jake Sullivan, White Area’s nationwide security adviser. It’s just not the natural order of things. This work has been done. This strategy has been made.”

As far as Biden’s fitness is concerned, Ian Brzezinski, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, a Washington think tank, said he needs to stay on top to “substantially reverse the impression” he left with his poor debate efficiency. Was.

“This is a great opportunity for him to lead with passion and energy, to underline his commitment, the Administration’s commitment, the commitment of Congress to the alliance, and to underline that he brought to the table the resolve that led to NATO That’s what made it so successful, Brzezinski said.

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Associated Press writers Matthew Lee in Washington, Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin, Jill Lawless in London and Nicole Winfield in Rome contributed to this file.