image source by; Manorama Yearbook
Washington: The 75th-anniversary summit of NATO was intended to celebrate a larger, stronger alliance. Instead, leaders are convening in Washington amid setbacks in Ukraine and political challenges on both sides of the Atlantic.
US President Joe Biden, facing political pressure after a tough debate against NATO skeptic Donald Trump, is shifting his focus from campaigning to host the leaders of the 32-nation transatlantic alliance for a three-day summit starting Tuesday.
In a nod to NATO’s expanding role in Asia amid rising tensions with China, Biden has also invited leaders from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea.
The spotlight, however, will be on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who seeks solid assurances of support, even though NATO is not extending an invitation for Ukraine to join the alliance.
NATO, founded in 1949 to provide collective defense against the Soviet Union, found itself revisiting its original mission when allies rallied to support Ukraine after Russia’s invasion in 2022.
Ukraine’s resilient defense against Russia’s initial push for a swift victory has heartened much of the West. However, Russian forces continue to make gradual advances in the east, leading to a more somber atmosphere ahead of the summit.
A European official, speaking anonymously, acknowledged the shift in mood. “This summit will be very different from the initial plans because it is happening at a critical juncture for European security,” the official said.
“Russia is currently in a comfortable position, believing they can simply wait it out,” he added, reflecting the complex and evolving challenges facing NATO as it marks this milestone anniversary.
