President Biden and his team had high hopes for the 75th anniversary of NATO, set to commence on Tuesday evening in Washington. The goal was to showcase a united front and send a strong message to adversaries like President Putin of Russia that a more robust and dedicated Western alliance was ready to stand up to aggression, especially in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
However, as world leaders started arriving on Monday, doubts began to creep in. The summit’s focus was overshadowed by uncertainties surrounding Biden’s potential second term and the looming specter of a return by former President Trump, who had previously criticized NATO and raised doubts about US commitment to the alliance.
With the possibility of a second Trump term on the horizon, European allies are already contemplating the implications for NATO and whether they could confront Russia without strong American support. This uncertainty has cast a shadow over the summit before it even officially begins.
President Biden, a staunch advocate for NATO, will welcome leaders at the historic Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, where the alliance was founded in 1949. At 81, Biden remains committed to NATO’s mission amid growing superpower tensions and global challenges.
As leaders gather, all eyes are on Biden, scrutinizing his every move and word for signals of US commitment to NATO. Biden welcomes this scrutiny, seeing it as a test of his leadership and the alliance’s unity in the face of mounting challenges.
NATO leaders acknowledge the alliance’s current test: maintaining momentum in supporting Ukraine while facing doubts about US leadership. The looming presence of Putin and Xi Jinping adds to the pressure on NATO to demonstrate strength and unity.
The alliance has begun preparing for a potential second Trump presidency by establishing new mechanisms to ensure support for Ukraine even if the US reduces its involvement. However, concerns remain about NATO members’ military budgets not matching the scale of the challenges posed by Russia.
While some NATO members have met defense spending targets, many believe that current levels are inadequate for the task at hand. Efforts to modernize forces and deter Russian aggression are hindered by budget constraints and political challenges in member states like Germany.
European nations may need to double their defense budgets to effectively deter Russian threats, according to experts. Despite this, Biden is not expected to push for new military spending targets at the summit.
Negotiations over Ukraine’s potential NATO membership continue, with discussions focusing on declaring Ukraine’s inclusion in NATO as “irreversible.” However, defining a timeline for Ukraine’s entry into the alliance remains a contentious issue.
While some NATO members engage with Russia diplomatically, concerns about maintaining unity and resolve in the face of Russian aggression persist. Public statements by leaders like Viktor Orban of Hungary have raised questions about NATO’s solidarity and commitment to countering Russian actions in Ukraine.
As the summit approaches, the spotlight is on Biden and NATO leaders to demonstrate unity and resolve in the face of growing challenges and uncertainties on the global stage.
