NATO will appoint a senior representative in the Ukrainian capital to deepen ties with the war-torn country, a senior US official said, as world leaders gather for a NATO summit in Washington, DC.
Speaking at a defence industry summit on Tuesday followingnoon, White House adviser Jake Sullivan said representatives in Kyiv would seek to “deepen Ukraine’s institutional ties with the alliance”.
“This post will also serve as a focal point for NATO engagement with senior Ukrainian officials,” Sullivan said.
The announcement comes as NATO officials and world leaders have been traveling to the US capital for the organization’s annual meeting, which begins Tuesday.
Continued support for Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion of the country is high on the agenda, especially amid a series of recent Russian attacks, including a deadly bombing of a children’s hospital in Kyiv.
In a social media post following his arrival in Washington, DC, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he would push for more air defense systems, financial aid and aircraft, including F-16s.
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“We urge decisive action from the US and Europe – action that will strengthen our fighters,” Zelenskyy wrote in X.
“We are committed to doing everything possible to ensure that Russian terror is defeated. This is not only important for our country but for every partner and every country.”
Zelenskyy and U.S. President Joe Biden are each scheduled to deliver remarks Tuesday at the Ronald Reagan Institute to mark the start of the NATO summit. The two will also meet Thursday followingnoon, the White House said.
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Aides say Biden’s opening remarks will highlight what his administration sees as its key accomplishments: a stronger, more united NATO, under U.S. leadership, with more members and a resolve to meet their collective security needs.
That, they say, has had real results for American voters: a safer country, with a stronger international economic position, more alliances and strength abroad, and less risk of conflict with its enemies.
This week’s NATO summit comes at a critical time for Biden, who is facing questions at home regarding his health and ability to serve another term in the White House following he performed poorly in a 2024 election debate last month.
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The Democratic president, who is expected to face his Republican predecessor Donald Trump in November’s election, has dismissed calls to withdraw from the race.
Biden administration officials sought to play down reports that NATO allies in Washington were concerned regarding the president’s staying power ahead of the arrival of leaders from NATO’s 32 member nations in Washington, DC.
Speaking to reporters Monday, White House adviser John Kirby said the administration had “no indication” that any foreign leaders were concerned.
Leaders “wouldn’t come … to the NATO summit if they didn’t believe in American leadership and how important it is and if they didn’t believe that President Biden takes that responsibility very seriously,” Kirby said.
But as doubts swirl regarding Biden, the alliance is anxiously watching Trump’s potential return to the White House following November’s election.
Trump has repeatedly criticized other NATO members for failing to meet the agreed goal of spending at least 2% of gross domestic product on defense.
Concerns in Europe grew in February when Trump warned NATO allies in a campaign speech he would “encourage” Russia “to do whatever they want” to countries that did not meet defense spending goals if he returned to the White House.
Trump and his Republican allies in the US Congress have also criticized Biden for providing an “endless stream of American treasure” to Ukraine.
During a NATO event Tuesday followingnoon in Washington, DC, Sullivan – a White House adviser – said the Biden administration is “committed” to standing with Ukraine “for the long term.”
Sullivan said NATO would this week announce a new military command in Germany that would launch a “training, equipping and force development program for Ukrainian forces.”
“We will also make an announcement outlining how we plan to strengthen Ukraine’s critical air defense capabilities and build Ukraine’s air power through the provision of F-16s,” he said.
These new steps, Sullivan added, are aimed at sending a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that he “cannot divide us, he cannot outlast us, he cannot weaken us, and Ukraine – not Russia – will win this war.”
The Kremlin said it was following the NATO summit “with the greatest attention”, including “the rhetoric in the talks and the decisions that will be taken and written down on paper”. (Al Jazeera/Z-3)
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