Ukraine has NATO’s full support, President Joe Biden said in remarks on the 75th anniversary of NATO on Tuesday evening.
The president announced a “historic donation of air defense equipment for Ukraine” at the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington, D.C.
“The United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, and Italy will provide Ukraine with equipment for five additional strategic air defense systems in the coming months,” Biden said as Ukraine continues to defend itself against Russia.
“[The] United States and our partners intend to provide Ukraine with dozens of additional tactical air defense systems. [The] United States will make sure that when we export critical air defense interceptors, Ukraine goes to the front of the line.”
Biden administration officials have said this week’s NATO summit will be a “bridge” to eventual NATO membership for Ukraine.
Under Article 5 of NATO’s founding treaty, any member of the alliance, including the U.S., must send troops to defend another NATO member that has been attacked. If Ukraine joined NATO, the U.S. would have to join the country’s war with Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to wipe Ukraine off the map, Biden said.
“And we know, Putin won’t stop in Ukraine,” Biden said. “But make no mistake, Ukraine can and will stop Putin.”
Ukraine had NATO’s “full support” before the Russian attack, Biden said.
“Together, we build a global coalition to stand with Ukraine,” he said. “Together, we provide a significant economic and humanitarian assistance, and together, we’ve supplied Ukraine with weapons it needs to defend itself—tanks, armored fighting vehicle[s], air defense system[s], long range missiles, and millions of munitions.”
Russia is failing in its war against Ukraine, Biden said.
“Kyiv, remember, fellas and ladies, [was] supposed to fall in five days; remember, was still standing, two and a half years later, and will continue to stand,” the president said.
“Today, it is still a free country, and the war will end with Ukraine remaining a free and independent country,” Biden said. “Russia will not prevail.”
Biden said America has a “sacred obligation” to other countries.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is a pivotal moment for Europe, for the transatlantic community, and—I might add—to the world,” he said. “Let’s remember the fact that NATO remains the bulwark of global security.”
