US President Joe Biden, speaking at the 75^th Anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Alliance Summit at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, in Washington DC, on July 9, 2024, stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s goal is to destroy Ukraine. He declared that Ukraine will continue to fight with the “collective support” of NATO allies 

“In Europe, Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues. And Putin wants nothing less — nothing less than Ukraine’s total subjugation; to end Ukraine’s democracy; to destroy Ukraine’s culture; and to wipe Ukraine off the map,” said President Biden. “And we know Putin won’t stop at Ukraine. But make no mistake, Ukraine can and will stop Putin — especially with our full, collective support…”  

He noted that the US and its several allies have signed bilateral security agreements with Ukraine and more countries will follow suit. 

Addressing NATO leaders amid the backdrop of the Russian attacks on a children’s hospital in Kyiv, Ukraine, President Biden said, “Today, NATO is more powerful than ever: 32 nations strong. For years, Finland and Sweden were among our closest partners. Now they have chosen to officially join NATO,” adding it was due to the significance and impact of the Article 5 and what it guarantees. It remains the most critical element of the Alliance, just as it was when established in 1949.

President Biden also recognized leaders of the Indo-Pacific region at the Summit. He said they are participating at the Summit because NATO’s success is interconnected with theirs, and both have a vested interest in each other’s prosperity. 

“In the year 2020…the year I was elected President, only nine NATO Allies were spending 2 percent of their defense — GDP on defense. This year, 23 will spend at least 2 percent. And some will spend more than that. And the remaining countries that have not yet reached that milestone will get there soon,” added President Biden.

Commending the remarkable progress of NATO, he conveyed that NATO has made significant progress, demonstrating its strong commitment and readiness to deter aggression, and defend all NATO territory in every domain including land, air, sea, cyber, and space. 

President Biden also announced the donation of air defense equipment to Ukraine, adding, “The United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, and Italy will provide Ukraine with the equipment for five additional strategic air defense systems.” He further noted that in the upcoming months, the United States and its allies plan to deliver more “tactical air defense systems” to Ukraine. 

Uncertain about his political future amid increasing calls from fellow Democratic party members for his withdrawal from the Presidential run, President Biden underscored, “Let me say this. An overwhelming bipartisan majority of Americans understand that NATO makes us all safer. The fact that both Democratic and Republican parties are represented here today is a testament to that fact.”

For 75 years, according to President Biden, NATO has safeguarded its allies. Without it, Americans foresee potential European wars, US military casualties, chaos from dictators, economic collapse, and catastrophe, he added. 

President Biden also honored NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award of the United States.

India-Russia relations

On July 8^th, addressing White House reporters, Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House Press Secretary, emphasized that India remains a strategic partner with whom the United States engages openly, including their relationship with Russia.  

“So, we think it’s critical that all countries, including India, support efforts to realize an enduring and just peace when it comes to Ukraine.  It is important for all our allies to realize this,” added Jean-Pierre. “And so, we also believe India’s long-standing relationship with Russia gives it the ability to urge President Putin to end his brutal war – an unprovoked war in Ukraine.”