STORY: :: Biden says Ukraine will stop Putin,
kicking off NATO summit
:: July 9, 2024
:: Joe Biden, U.S. President
"But make no mistake, Ukraine can and will stop Putin. Especially with our full collective support. And they have our full support."
"Nearly two dozen allied partners have signed a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine, and more countries will follow. Today I'm announcing a historic donation of air defense equipment for Ukraine. The United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Italy will provide Ukraine with the equipment for five additional strategic air defense systems. And in the coming months, the United States and our partners intend to provide Ukraine with dozens of additional tactical air defense systems. The United States will make sure that when we export critical air defense interceptors, Ukraine goes to the front of the line."
:: Washington, D.C.
Biden, 81, has endured 12 days of withering questions about his fitness for office as some of his fellow Democrats on Capitol Hill and campaign donors fear that he will lose the Nov. 5 election after a halting debate performance on June 27.
The White House is hoping he can turn the page on speculation with his speech, in which he spoke with a strong and confident voice and avoided any verbal flubs or signs of confusion that marked his debate performance.
Biden has rebuffed calls to step aside in his race against Republican Donald Trump, 78, vowing to beat him in November. So far, he still has the support of most of his party's elite.
Biden ended his remarks by awarding NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg with the U.S.' highest honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
