U.S. President Joe Biden committed to vigorously defending Ukraine against Russia’s invasion at the NATO summit on Tuesday, while seeking to assert his leading capacity and suitability for presidency.
“Putin wants nothing less, nothing less, than Ukraine’s total subjugation […] and to wipe Ukraine off the map,” Biden asserted from Washington, D.C. while addressing the NATO member states. “Ukraine can and will stop Putin.”
During the summit, the US president has aimed to reassure allies at home and abroad of his capacity to lead, as he attempted to use high-profile policy speech to move past a challenging period in his presidency.
This declaration comes as 81-year-old Biden faces intense scrutiny regarding his suitability for office, following concerns from fellow Democrats after a faltering debate performance on June 27.
During his address to NATO, Biden spoke confidently from a teleprompter, successfully avoiding the verbal missteps and confusion that marred his debate performance.
The speech, framed by the historic federal hall where the NATO treaty was signed, was bolstered by stirring musical performances from the U.S. Marine Corps band. “Today NATO is stronger than it’s ever been in its history,” he stressed.
In a symbolic conclusion to his speech, Biden awarded NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest U.S. civilian honor. The U.S. president commended the Norwegian politician for his role in revitalizing the 32-member alliance.