Embattled Biden greets Nato allies in Washington

WASHINGTON – US President Joe Biden welcomed the heads of Nato member states to Washington on July 9 for an annual summit that gives the embattled Democrat an international stage to convince allies at home and abroad he can still lead.

Mr 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 Nov 5 election after a halting debate performance on June 27.

Mr 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 the future of Nato and Europe.

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 2 per cent of their respective gross domestic product if they came under military attack. He has also questioned the amount of aid given to Ukraine in its battle against Russia’s invasion.

Aides said Mr Biden’s opening speech, expected at 5pm (July 10, 5am, Singapore time) will highlight what his office sees as a key accomplishment: a stronger and more united Nato, under Washington’s leadership, with more members and a resolve to meet their collective security needs.

That brings, they say, tangible results for American voters: a safer country, with a strong international economic position, more alliances and power abroad and less at risk of conflict with its adversaries.

The mere presence of leaders from Nato and beyond shows Mr Biden’s power to assemble coalitions and inspire confidence, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, arguments that Trump and many of his Republican allies reject.

“Republicans, of course, celebrate the peace and prosperity that Nato has secured and will continue to stand by our partners as we prevent needless wars,” said US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, a top Republican and Trump ally, on July 10.

“But we also believe Nato needs to be doing more.”

Worry from allies about Biden’s staying power

Nato, celebrating its 75th anniversary, has found new purpose in opposing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion. It has also welcomed Finland and Sweden as new members.

The grinding Ukraine-Russia war will dominate private conversations between the leaders of the 32 Nato member countries, who have a full agenda focused on military and financial aid for Ukraine and offering some pathway towards eventual Nato membership for Kyiv.

But those leaders, already anxious about the prospect of Trump’s return, come to Washington with fresh concern about Mr Biden’s staying power, according to diplomats from their countries. One described the US President as bruised after a difficult political period and said their government was looking for signs about whether he would survive.

Mr Joern Fleck, senior director with the Europe Centre at the Atlantic Council, said questions about Mr Biden’s survival were “absolutely on everyone’s minds” and raised the prospect that Trump could win the US election and weaken the alliance.

Nato leaders face political uncertainty in Europe, with paralysis looming in France after gains for left and far-right parties, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition weakened after a poor showing in European Parliament polls.

The week’s events in Washington will give Mr Biden a chance to address the concerns, including a high-profile speech on July 9 and a rare solo press conference on July 11.

He will also highlight new support for Ukraine. During the summit, Nato leaders are expected to endorse an initiative that will see the alliance coordinate arms supplies and training for Ukrainian forces fighting Russia’s invasion. They may also get more support on air defence.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the summit and meet Mr Biden. He was expected to deliver an address on July 9 at the Ronald Reagan Institute in Washington.

Mr Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of Ukraine’s Parliament, met US lawmakers and representatives of legislatures of other Nato states on July 9 and decried July 8’s attack on a children’s hospital in Kyiv and called for more air defence systems, aircraft and long-range artillery.

Ukraine ultimately wants to join Nato to ward against further future attacks by Russia, but candidates have to be approved by all of the alliance’s members, some of which are wary of provoking a direct war with Russia.

Moscow sees Nato as a vehicle for US dominance and has accused the alliance of returning to a Cold War mindset.

While Nato views Russia as its main threat, it is also paying greater attention to the challenge from China and accuses Beijing of playing a key role in keeping Moscow’s war effort going by supplying tech to the Kremlin’s military.

The leaders of Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea will come to Washington to bolster ties with the alliance.

China’s foreign ministry hit out at the “smear and attacks” against Beijing from Nato and said the alliance was seeking an excuse to expand its influence in the Asia-Pacific region.

US officials have said the summit will offer Ukraine a “bridge to membership”, which would include the new Nato effort to coordinate arms supplies and training.

Some members want the alliance to make clear Ukraine is moving towards Nato "irreversibly" and are keen for language in a statement emerging from the summit to move beyond the alliance's pledge in 2023 that "Ukraine's future is in Nato". REUTERS, AFP