World Leaders Gather in Washington DC for NATO Summit Amid Growing Tensions with Russia
World leaders, including Britain's new prime minister Keir Starmer and Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskiy, have convened in Washington DC for a two-day NATO summit. The focus of the summit is enhanced military support for Ukraine amidst escalating tensions with Russia. Discussions at the summit are expected to result in a fresh package of military aid for Ukraine, including additional air defense systems and progress on supplying F-16 fighters to help Kyiv defend against Russian attacks. Despite concerns about allowing Ukraine to join NATO while the war with Russia continues, alliance members are working towards presenting the latest support package as a stepping stone towards membership. However, the issue of Ukraine joining NATO is not expected to see significant progress during the summit. The plight of Ukraine, currently under attack from Russia with missile strikes causing casualties and destruction, serves as a central point of discussion at the summit. NATO officials have warned of potential further missile barrages from Russia aimed at drawing attention away from the summit's proceedings. Concerns about President Joe Biden's acuity and his ability to handle critical decisions following his recent performance in a debate with Donald Trump loom large over the summit. There are apprehensions about Trump's past skepticism towards NATO and doubts regarding his willingness to continue the supply of military aid if he were to be re-elected. NATO leaders have emphasized the importance of member countries meeting defense spending commitments, with a record number of members now allocating 2% of GDP towards defense. The ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia is expected to persist into the next year and beyond, with Ukraine still on the defensive and struggling to mount a counteroffensive. There is a consensus among leaders that continued support for Ukraine is crucial, with a senior NATO official highlighting the need for sustained assistance well beyond 2025.
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