President Joe Biden has started his three-nation trip, with the NATO summit taking center stage to demonstrate solidarity with Ukraine amidst debates about its potential accession into the alliance.
Departing from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, President Biden is expected to arrive in the United Kingdom, a crucial US ally, late on Sunday. The trip kicks off with a meeting between President Biden and King Charles, marking their first encounter since the king’s coronation in May. The discussions will primarily focus on environmental issues. Additionally, the President will meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street, where the upcoming NATO summit and the situation in Ukraine are likely to be discussed.
The NATO summit, held in Lithuania, will be the main highlight of President Biden’s Europe trip. The Western allies will convene to address support for Ukraine in countering Russian aggression. President Biden is anticipated to exert pressure on Turkey to drop its opposition to Sweden’s NATO membership bid. This comes after Turkey accused Sweden of leniency towards groups it considers security threats. However, President Biden has expressed caution about granting Ukraine immediate NATO membership due to the ongoing war and the need for democratic reforms. He believes the focus should be on providing weapons and ammunition support.
While unanimity among NATO members is required for Ukraine’s entry into the alliance, there are varying opinions on the matter. Instead of immediate membership, NATO could enhance its relationship with Ukraine by establishing the NATO-Ukraine Council, allowing Kyiv to participate in consultations.
President Biden’s visit to Helsinki will be the final stop, where he will hold talks with the leaders of Finland, NATO’s newest member, and attend a summit with US and Nordic leaders. This visit marks the first by a US president to Helsinki since Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin five years ago. Finland recently joined NATO, while Sweden’s application has faced hurdles, including Turkey’s concerns and discussions surrounding the sale of F-16 fighter jets.
President Biden’s trip emphasizes the importance of NATO solidarity, addresses the situation in Ukraine, and promotes cooperation with European allies on critical issues, such as the environment and regional security.
