NATO meets at summit in Washington amid political uncertainty

NATO finds itself à from Tuesday à Washington, for a summit, after 75 years of existence, supposedly confirm its support &agrav; Ukraine, but dominated by the climate of political uncertainty in the United States.

France, for its part, has only partially dispelled the doubts reigning on the other side of the Atlantic. The result of the legislative elections on Sunday removes the prospect of the far right coming to power, but without providing a precise answer on who will govern France in the coming months.

In the United States, four months before the presidential election, American President Joe Biden, 81, must, day after day, prove that he is not only capable of beating his Republican rival Donald Trump, but also to govern the world's leading military power.

Calls are increasing, including within his Democratic camp, for him to give up running after the disastrous debate at the end of June against his 78-year-old opponent, where he appeared very tired and confused.

And beyond American voters, he will also have to reassure the leaders of the 32 NATO countries, expected for three days in Washington. A White House spokesperson assured Monday that he “did not detect any sign” of concern on the part of members of the organization regarding Joe Biden.

” Our allies expect American leadership”, and “who else could come (in my place), I enlarged NATO, I made it stronger”, launched the latter, very upset, Monday on MSBNC.

Finland and Sweden joined NATO in 2023 and this year respectively, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

– At least 36 dead –

Russia carried out a massive attack on cities in Ukraine on Monday, which left at least 36 dead, some in hospitals, on the eve of the Washington summit.

From Warsaw where he is visiting, the Ukrainian president called on Monday from the West for a “stronger response” to Russia.

He is expected in Washington on Tuesday to participate in the ceremonies marking the 75th anniversary of the Atlantic Alliance, created in April 1949 to respond to the Soviet threat.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a press conference with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, in Warsaw, July 8, 2024 © AFP – Sergei GAPON

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The Ukrainian president is insistently calling for more weapons to face Russia, which has been on the offensive for months.

kyiv is demanding particularly anti-aircraft defense systems, including Patriot batteries, surface-to-air missiles which are particularly effective against ballistic missiles. Russian strikes have already caused dozens of deaths and destroyed half of Ukraine's energy capabilities.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called in April September of these systems to protect cities and infrastructures.

Only Germany and Romania have so far responded to this request, committing to each supplying a Patriot system. The Netherlands, for their part, is trying to bring together different pieces to form a complete battery for the benefit of Ukraine. The United States has suggested that it will also provide another Patriot battery.

– In the hot seat –

< p>Without providing details, Joe Biden promised Monday that he would announce, with his NATO allies, “new measures to strengthen Ukraine's air defense to help protect its cities and towns.” civilians from Russian strikes”.

kyiv also wishes, but without illusion, that its candidacy to join the Atlantic Alliance advances in Washington, after the frustrations generated by the lack of progress on this point last year during the Vilnius summit. Ukraine wants to receive a formal invitation to join NATO, but several countries, including the United States, are opposed.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (right) speaks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken before a baseball game in Washington, July 8, 2024 © AFP – ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS

On the other hand, it should obtain that this promise of accession is “irreversible”, according to a diplomat, specifying however that certain conditions would be added.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, for his part, assured that all the measures in favor of Ukraine, announced at the Washington summit, are all elements favoring its entry into the Alliance.< /p>

This is a “very serious effort to put Ukraine in a position in which it will be ready to assume its role and responsibilities within the Alliance from the first day” of its accession, assured an American official.

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