What Happens To Ukraine, 'Matters To NATO,' Leaders Say As Washington Summit Wraps Up

U.S. President Joe Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and NATO leaders spent the final day of their summit on Thursday discussing the state of the alliance and Ukraine's goal of becoming a member, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

Biden reaffirmed America's commitment during a meeting with Zelensky, and announced another $225 million aid package for Ukraine. "Russia will not prevail in Ukraine, Ukraine will" he said. "We're gonna be with you every step of the way." 

Zelensky welcomed the support calling it 'strong news', adding however that Ukraine needs the U.S. to lift limits on firing its weapons deeper into Russia if it hopes to win the war.

Russia “wants to show what awaits other countries if we do not endure,” he later told reporters during a joint press briefing with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg

Therefore “we must endure,” he added.

Biden, who separately held his first formal solo press conference in months, said that a strong NATO was crucial to U.S. and global security, "For those who thought NATO's time had passed, they got a rude awakening when Putin invaded Ukraine," he said. 

He went on to elaborate: "Some of the oldest, deepest fears in Europe roared back to life because once again a murderous madman was on the march. But this time, no one cowered in appeasement, especially the United States."

As for the outcomes from this year's NATO summit, they include a pledge from all 32 allies to increase defense industrial production and to coordinate with fellow NATO countries on national plans to strengthen industrial capacity.

The allies also agreed to advance NATO's modernized command structure and put a new generation of defense plans into practice. The plans, which were agreed to at last year's summit in Vilnius, are the first comprehensive defense blueprint developed by the alliance since the end of the Cold War. 

Biden also announced the endorsement of the Ukraine Compact by more than 20 countries, together with the EU and European Council, by which signatories affirm their commitment to Ukraine's long-term defense and security. 

"What happens to Ukraine matters... It matters to all of Europe. It matters to NATO. Quite frankly, matters to the whole world," Biden said. "We're united against Putin's senseless brutal war.. We are united behind Ukraine as it fights to defend its freedom and its future,"  he added.

Closing the summit, NATO Chief Stoltenberg made it clear that the steps further pave Ukraine's path to joining the alliance. "The work we are doing together now will ensure that when the time is right, Ukraine can join without delay. It is not a question of if, but when," he added.

Marking the end of the Summit, Biden garbled his words and made blunders, such as accidentally referring to his vice president, Kamala Harris, as "Vice President Trump". Earlier, he mistakenly introduced Zelensky as "President Putin," before correcting himself.

When asked if he would reconsider his decision to stay in the presidential race in November if shown data by his team that Harris would fare better against Trump, Biden said, "no, unless you came back and said there's no way you can win."