US leader’s three-country tour aims to ‘showcase the president’s leadership on the world stage’ at a key time for the war in Ukraine.
Joe Biden is embarking on a swift tour of Europe, primarily focused on the situation in Ukraine. Key topics of discussion during his trip are expected to include Ukraine’s potential NATO membership and the US approval of cluster munitions. The President’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, stated that the purpose of the trip is to showcase Biden’s leadership on the global stage.
Biden’s itinerary includes arriving in London at night for meetings with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and King Charles. He will then attend a crucial NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, before traveling to Helsinki to welcome Finland, the newest NATO member.
Despite some political uncertainty surrounding Sunak, he has developed strong ties with Biden, and this will mark their sixth meeting since Sunak assumed office. The UK government emphasized the significance of the transatlantic alliance, stating that the UK is Europe’s leading NATO ally and the United States’ most crucial trade, defense, and diplomatic partner.
During his trip, Biden will also meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Erdoğan expressed support for Ukraine’s NATO membership. However, Biden has urged caution regarding the timing of Ukraine’s accession.
Biden’s meeting with King Charles at Windsor Castle will likely focus on climate change, an issue of mutual concern. The leaders will discuss financing initiatives to address the climate crisis. Biden previously commended Charles’s leadership on climate during their encounter at the Cop26 climate summit.
The President will spend two days in Vilnius, participating in the NATO summit and delivering a speech at Vilnius University. Questions may arise about Biden’s approval of cluster munitions provision to Ukraine, a weapon banned by more than two-thirds of NATO members due to its indiscriminate civilian casualties and long-term risks.
The summit aims to send a clear message of NATO’s unity and deterrence against Russian aggression. However, divisions exist within the alliance, including disagreements over the speed of extending NATO membership to Ukraine. Some Eastern European countries favor a swift invitation, considering it a deterrent to Russian aggression, while others, including the US, advocate a more cautious approach.
Senator Thom Tillis, who will lead a bipartisan delegation to the summit, likened NATO to a gathering of family members who may argue and clash but remain united.
Biden’s visit to Helsinki marks a significant moment, as Finland became the 31st NATO member in April. Sweden’s membership, however, has been delayed due to objections from Turkey and Hungary. Finland’s inclusion demonstrates the repercussions of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in Europe.
The Helsinki stop is viewed as a victory lap for Biden, highlighting his administration’s resilience against Moscow and the expansion of Western defenses.
Overall, Biden’s tour aims to reaffirm US leadership, address the Ukrainian crisis, strengthen NATO unity, discuss climate change, and support Finland’s NATO membership while navigating internal disagreements within the alliance.
