Biden Hosts NATO Leaders Amid 75th Anniversary Celebrations in Washington

President Joe Biden is set to welcome leaders of NATO member nations to Washington this week to commemorate the alliance’s 75th anniversary, marking the historic event in the city where the original treaty was signed. Partner nations from the European Union, Ukraine, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand will also participate in the celebrations, according to a senior administration official.

One of the key topics of discussion will be Ukraine’s long-term pathway to NATO membership, focusing on strengthening its defense capabilities, institution building, military interoperability with NATO, and securing a financial commitment for defense spending. In the short term, NATO will continue to provide Ukraine with crucial support such as air defense systems, training, equipment, and logistical aid.

President Biden will also host an event with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and approximately two dozen allies and partners who have signed bilateral security agreements with Ukraine. The United States is expected to announce new initiatives to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses and overall military capabilities during the summit.

The anniversary event will kick off on Tuesday at Washington’s Mellon Auditorium, the very location where the NATO treaty was signed in 1949. On Wednesday, Biden will officially welcome Sweden as the newest member of NATO in a meeting with the alliance’s 32 leaders.

Thursday will feature a significant meeting between NATO, the European Union, and NATO’s Indo-Pacific partners, including Australia, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand, to enhance cooperative efforts. Additionally, the NATO-Ukraine Council will convene to discuss further support and integration strategies.

Amid the celebrations, NATO is expected to issue a strong statement condemning China’s support for Russia’s defense industrial base, which has played a crucial role in aiding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war efforts in Ukraine. The official highlighted that most of Russia’s semiconductors and nitrocellulose, essential for missile propellants, have been sourced from China, contributing to the ongoing conflict and posing a long-term challenge for European security.

“All of this is not only fueling Russia’s war against Ukraine but is also creating a long-term challenge for European security that, obviously, our allies recognize,” the official stated.