NATO leaders' summit, support to Ukraine overshadowed by Biden gaffes
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The three-day NATO summit has wrapped up with leaders committing additional support for Ukraine, though Zelensky continues to seek further aid.
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President Joe Biden speaks at a news conference following the NATO Summit in Washington, Thursday, July 11, 2024. (AP)
The conclusion of NATO's three-day summit in Washington was overshadowed by doubts over United States President Joe Biden's health and fitness to run the country.
"I will not walk away from Ukraine. I will keep NATO strong," Biden said in his closing press conference. "That's exactly what we did, and exactly what we'll continue to do now."
However, Biden's remarks at the summit were shrouded with multiple gaffes, where he mistakingly introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as "President Putin." He also referred to his Vice President Kamala Harris as "Vice President Trump" at a news conference.
Other than vilifying Russia and China, as rogue actors, the summit also focused on bolstering Biden's image, where he got multiple opportunities to reiterate his commitment to NATO and Ukraine. Biden also took the opportunity to leverage himself against presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump.
"My predecessor [Trump] has made it clear he has no commitment to NATO. He's made it clear that he would feel no obligation to honor Article 5," Biden said, referring to the alliance's commitment to common defense.
On the other hand, Trump wasted no time taking a jab at the current president, mocking him on his Truth Social site.
"Crooked Joe begins his 'Big Boy' Press Conference with, 'I wouldn't have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president... Great job, Joe!" Trump said.
Read more: Trump considering cutting back intel sharing with Europe: Politico
Zelensky unsatisfied with Western aid
Although not officially part of NATO, Ukraine's Zelensky spoke at the summit's conclusion, urging that Western allies, especially the US, advance their military aid to Kiev.
Despite the fact that NATO members pledged a number of Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine during the three-day event, Zelensky has urged further escalation, by demanding that Western countries lift their limitations on deep strikes into Russian territory.
"If we want to win, if we want to prevail, if we want to save our country and to defend it, we need to lift all the limitations," Zelensky said.
However, Biden made no defensive positive response to Zelensky's request while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said "no one is planning to change the previous measures and guidelines."
"It remains our task to ensure that we provide Ukraine with maximum support, but prevent the war from escalating into a war between Russia and NATO," Scholz said.
Zelensky's remarks come after the US and Germany relaxed conditions on Ukraine's use of long-range weapons that they had provided. The summit also saw NATO's outgoing Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg reveal that the alliance agreed on a minimum baseline funding of 40 billion euros within the next year to Ukraine.
"At this summit, we are turning a corner and putting in place the foundations for Ukraine to prevail," he asserted.
The event also saw NATO leaders once again disappointing Kiev by refusing to issue Ukraine a clear invitation to join the military alliance.
Attempting to soften the upset, leaders called Ukraine's path to membership "irreversible."
Read more: Erdogan warns against direct confrontation between NATO, Russia
