Biden rallies NATO allies as F-16 jets arrive in Ukraine

Key Points

• F-16 Jet Transfer Initiated: NATO allies, including Denmark and the Netherlands, have begun sending F-16 jets to Ukraine, fulfilling a long-promised commitment.
• Biden’s Leadership at NATO Summit: President Joe Biden is leading a three-day NATO summit in Washington, D.C., aiming to rally Western allies and reassure U.S. voters of his leadership capabilities amidst political uncertainties.
• Commitment to Ukraine: Biden pledged a new air defence system for Kyiv and emphasised unity against Russian President Vladimir Putin. Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted that the F-16 transfer signals enduring support for Ukraine.
• Contrasting Views on Peace: Former President Donald Trump, leading in some polls, has suggested a quick peace settlement by compelling Ukraine to cede territory to Russia and questioned NATO’s value.
• Russia’s Continued Aggression: On the eve of the summit, Russia launched missile attacks on Ukraine, resulting in casualties, including the destruction of a children’s hospital in Kyiv.
• Zelensky’s Gratitude and Call for Peace: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked NATO for the F-16 jets, stating they would help protect Ukraine and bring closer a just and lasting peace.

 

NATO allies announced on Wednesday the commencement of the long-awaited transfer of F-16 jets to Ukraine, coinciding with a leaders’ summit in Washington, D.C., amidst political uncertainties in the United States.

The three-day gathering in the U.S. capital is marked by President Joe Biden’s efforts to unify Western allies and reassure American voters about his leadership capabilities at 81, an age six years senior to the alliance itself.

Biden’s Commitment and Calls for Unity

Kicking off the events on Tuesday evening, Biden pledged a new air defence system for Kyiv and emphasised unity against Russian President Vladimir Putin, who initiated the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. “Make no mistake. Ukraine can – and will – stop Putin,” Biden asserted in a powerful speech.

F-16 Transfer and Strategic Implications

Following up on Biden’s commitment, the White House confirmed on Wednesday that Denmark and the Netherlands had begun sending F-16 jets to Ukraine. This move follows Biden’s approval last year of Ukraine’s request for advanced Western aircraft to achieve air parity with Russia.

Also Read: Tensions rise as US approves Ukrainian strikes inside Russia with America-supplied weapons

Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted that the transfer of F-16s serves as a clear message to Putin about the resilience and endurance of Ukraine and its allies.

“The quickest way to get to peace is through a strong Ukraine,” Blinken remarked.

In contrast, former President Donald Trump, currently leading Biden in some polls, has suggested a quick peace settlement by compelling Ukraine to cede territory to Russia. Trump has also questioned NATO’s value, viewing it as a disproportionate burden on the United States.

Russia’s Aggression and Zelensky’s Response

On the eve of the summit, Russia launched a missile barrage on Ukraine, resulting in dozens of casualties, including in Kyiv, where a children’s hospital was destroyed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, invited to the summit by Biden, expressed gratitude for the F-16 jets, which he said would enhance his country’s defence against “brutal Russian attacks.”

“The new aircraft will bring just and lasting peace closer, demonstrating that terror must fail everywhere and at any time,” Zelensky wrote on social media.

Summit Objectives and Future Commitments

The summit aims to “Trump-proof” the alliance, with NATO expected to take over the coordination of arms delivery from the United States. Outgoing NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg is pushing for continued arms supplies at the current rate of approximately 40 billion euros ($43 billion) annually.

“I expect that regardless of the outcome of the US elections, the US will remain a strong and staunch NATO ally,” Stoltenberg stated. Biden has also invited key Pacific partners—Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand—as part of efforts to expand NATO’s role in countering China’s rise.

Ukraine’s Aspiration for NATO Membership

Ukraine is seeking firm assurances of future NATO membership, an organisation committed to collective defence. A NATO diplomat indicated that the summit would likely support Ukraine’s “irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership.”

While Baltic and Eastern European nations support Kyiv’s membership, Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have reservations, fearing a direct conflict with nuclear-armed Russia.

Zelensky, who has gained hero status in the West for his defiance of Russia, expressed frustration at the previous NATO summit in Lithuania for not receiving a clearer membership pathway.

Summit Highlights and Key Attendees

Other notable attendees include Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, one of Putin’s close partners in the West, who visited Ukraine, Russia, and China before the summit on a criticised peace mission. Biden, Blinken, and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin will host gala dinners for their counterparts in Washington, D.C., amid a severe heat wave.

New British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, fresh from a landslide victory by his Labour Party, will meet with both Biden and Zelensky to reaffirm the UK’s strong support for Ukraine.

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