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US President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced a major package of air defenses for Ukraine as doubts over his political survival clouded the start of a NATO summit in Washington.
Leaders from the 32-nation military alliance were looking to put on a show of resolve against Russia during three days of pomp-filled ceremony in the US capital marking NATO’s 75th anniversary.
But questions over Biden’s fitness to govern threatened to dominate the gathering as the 81-year-old faces calls to quit the race for a second term after a disastrous debate performance against challenger Donald Trump.
Looking to refocus attention on US steadfastness, Biden kicked off the summit by announcing Washington will provide Ukraine with an additional Patriot air defense system.
“The war will end with Ukraine remaining a free and independent country. Russia will not prevail,” Biden said at a ceremony in the room where NATO’s founding treaty was signed in 1949.
“This is a pivotal moment for Europe, for the transatlantic community, and, I might add, for the world,” he said.
The US pledge comes on top of two new Patriot systems already being given by Germany and Romania, and one the Netherlands has said it is putting together with parts from other allies.
The air defenses “will help to protect Ukrainian cities, civilians, and soldiers,” Biden said in a joint statement with other leaders, adding that they would look to send dozens more shorter range systems in the coming months.
