Joe Biden pledges air defence systems and insists ‘Ukraine can and will stop Putin’
Joe Biden has pledged more support for Ukraine – including air defence systems – as he welcomed NATO member states to a Washington summit marking the organisation’s 75th anniversary.
Dogged by rumours over his health, the US president delivered a forceful and determined speech in which he insisted the bloc was “more powerful than ever”.
The address came with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine intensifying, and Mr Biden‘s presidential rival Donald Trump continuing to hint the US would leave NATO if he wins November’s election.
“Putin wants nothing less, nothing less, than Ukraine’s total subjugation… and to wipe Ukraine off the map,” Mr Biden said.
“Ukraine can and will stop Putin.”
Mr Biden and the leaders of Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Romania have promised five additional Patriot and other strategic air defence systems to protect Ukrainian cities, civilians and soldiers.
Other allies, including Canada, Norway, Spain, and the UK will provide other systems aimed at improving Ukraine’s defences.
“This is a pivotal moment for Europe and the transatlantic community, and I might add to the world,” Mr Biden added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Washington on Tuesday and said he would “fight” for NATO to strengthen Ukrainian air defences and furnish it with more F-16 fighter jets.
in a speech at the Reagan Institute he said decisive action must be taken before the US presidential election in November to repel Russia’s offensive against his country.
“It’s time to step out of the shadows to make strong decisions to act and not wait for November or any other months to descend.
“We must be strong and uncompromising all together.”
And in a Q&A with Fox News host Bret Baier after his speech, he added: “I hope that if the people of America will elect President Trump, I hope that his policy with Ukraine will not change.
“I hope that the United States will never go out from NATO.”
