Joe Biden vows to provide air defense systems and declares ‘Ukraine is capable of thwarting Putin’s advances’ | Global News

July 9, 2024 TruthUSA

Joe Biden has promised increased support for Ukraine, including air defense systems, as he hosted NATO member states at a Washington summit marking the organization’s 75th anniversary.

Amid rumors about his health, the US president delivered a strong and resolute speech emphasizing the bloc’s strength.

The speech came as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine escalated, with Mr. Biden’s presidential rival Donald Trump implying the US may leave NATO if he wins the upcoming election.

“Putin wants nothing less than Ukraine’s complete subjugation… and the annihilation of Ukraine,” Mr. Biden declared.

“Ukraine is capable of stopping Putin.”

The main focus of the NATO summit will be on new commitments of military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Mr. Biden, along with the leaders of Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Romania, have committed to providing five additional Patriot and other strategic air defense systems to protect Ukrainian cities, civilians, and soldiers.

Other allies, including Canada, Norway, Spain, and the UK, will offer additional systems to enhance Ukraine’s defenses.

“This is a crucial moment for Europe, the transatlantic community, and the world,” added Mr. Biden.

Analysis: Team Biden will be ‘pretty pleased’ with NATO speech

President Joe Biden’s speech marking the 75th anniversary of NATO was a passionate reaffirmation of the alliance’s power, according to our US correspondent Mark Stone.

However, the “elephant in the room” during the speech was Mr. Biden’s performance.

The US president has faced intense scrutiny in recent days to prove his fitness to remain in the Oval Office following a contentious debate with Donald Trump.

But, as per Stone, the US leader “seemed to be quite flawless in his delivery”, aided by a teleprompter.

“I’m sure his team will be quite satisfied with what was a very important moment for him,” Stone remarked.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Washington on Tuesday, advocating for NATO to enhance Ukrainian air defenses and provide more F-16 fighter jets.

“We are pushing for additional security assurances for Ukraine – including weaponry, financial support, and political backing,” he stated in a social media video.

Meanwhile, the White House aims to redirect attention from the speculation around the president’s health following a chaotic debate performance.

Mr. Biden has been striving to convince US voters, donors, and the Democratic Party of his readiness for re-election.

The president has rejected calls to step down in his race against Mr. Trump, vowing to emerge victorious.

On Monday, his doctor affirmed that Mr. Biden displayed no signs of Parkinson’s disease after reports suggested a specialist had visited the president multiple times in the past year.

Mr. Biden’s personal physician Kevin O’Connor issued a statement confirming that “President Biden has not consulted a neurologist outside of his annual physical.”

Source link