‘NATO is more powerful’: US President Joe Biden delivers opening remarks at NATO event in Washington
A focused and energetic Joe Biden has celebrated the 75th anniversary of the NATO alliance in his opening remarks at an event in Washington DC.
“Today, NATO is more powerful than ever, 32 nations strong,” the US President said.
“It’s good that we are stronger than ever, friends, because this moment in history calls for our collective strength.”
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“We know Putin won’t stop at Ukraine.
“Make no mistake - Ukraine can and will stop Putin.”
The US President was on stage for around 15 minutes and was sharp, focused and pointed with his delivery of his opening remarks.
US President Joe Biden hosting the heads of NATO member states to Washington for an annual summit has been seen as an opportunity for the embattled Democrat to convince allies at home and abroad that he can still lead.
Biden, 81, has vowed to press on in his race against Republican Donald Trump, 78, despite concern from Democrats on Capitol Hill and donors that he will lose the November 5 US election after a halting debate performance on June 27.
Biden made restoring the United States’ traditional alliances abroad to counter the threat of autocracies the centrepiece of his foreign policy after Trump challenged allies as part of an “America First” approach.
Who wins in November could have a substantial impact on NATO’s future and Europe’s.
Trump has suggested that, given a second term, he would not defend NATO members that did not meet the alliance’s defence spending target of two per cent of each member’s GDP if they came under military attack.
He has questioned the amount of aid given to Ukraine in its battle against Russia’s invasion.
NATO, celebrating its 75th anniversary, has found a new purpose in opposing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion and welcomed Finland and Sweden as new members.
With AAP
