For the meeting this summer, Western leaders who are not allies of NATO will be gathering in Washington, D.C.
NATO : The alliance is commemorating its 75th anniversary, but given the issues and challenges they face—from Beijing’s persistent aggression to Russia’s war in Ukraine, among other things—the occasion won’t be purely celebratory.
Defense spending
The summit’s main theme, Russia’s war in Ukraine, has prompted nearly every member of the alliance to raise defense spending. Prior to Russia’s invasion, which is the biggest ground war in Europe since World War II, the alliance has been mostly failing to meet its defense budget obligations.
Every member of the NATO alliance is required to spend a minimum of 2% of their GDP on defense, with a minimum of 20% going toward the purchase of weapons, equipment, and other capabilities.
NATO revealed its preliminary 2024 data last month, revealing that 23 out of the 31 states achieved the 2% threshold. Only three NATO members achieved the objective ten years ago. The only allies predicted to fail to meet the 20% spending threshold are Canada and Belgium, who also failed to meet the 2% GDP threshold.
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Ukraine
Although Ukraine is not a member of NATO, it is extremely doubtful that it will remain such until the war has ended; if it does, its accession may instantly activate Article 5 and draw the alliance into the fight.
In spite of this, the White House thinks Ukraine should eventually join NATO.
“Allies will make major new announcements about how we’re expanding NATO’s military, diplomatic, and financial support for Ukraine; they will also reiterate that Ukraine’s future lies in the alliance. According to a senior Biden administration official, this is a part of Ukraine’s “bridge to NATO.”
Biden/Trump
Following his forgetfulness and confusion during last month’s presidential debate, which effectively raised questions about his suitability for a second term, President Joe Biden is dealing with serious domestic challenges.
Despite his repeated statements that he is continuing in the race, a number of House Democrats have urged him to withdraw from the presidential election. Watching his performance this week will be eagerly anticipated.
Biden has led the coalition from the beginning of Russia’s incursion into Ukraine in February 2022. Throughout the conflict, the alliance has given Ukraine military and humanitarian assistance worth billions of dollars. In the wake of his disastrous debate with former President Donald Trump, he has also made a point of saying that NATO enlargement occurred under his direction.
Unlike Biden, his opponent in 2024 has not openly backed Ukraine as much, and he has hinted that he would decide not to defend alliance countries who aren’t fulfilling the 2% spending criteria.
European upheaval
After winning the elections handily, days before, the summit will mark the first international visit for the newly appointed British prime minister, Keir Starmer. Biden and he will meet on Wednesday.
In addition, political unrest has rocked French President Emmanuel Macron’s administration since left-wing parties banded together to defeat a right-wing party that was on the rise.
Hungary’s leader, Viktor Orban, is a staunch ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin in NATO and recently visited China, Russia, and Ukraine after assuming the rotating presidency of the European Union Council.
