NATO Chief and US President meet in White House to discuss Ukraine War

Europe, News, US June 14, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

The outgoing NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg traveled to the U.S. to meet President Joe Biden on June 13, 2023. During their meeting, Biden and Stoltenberg emphasized their commitment to defend Ukraine against Russia’s ongoing invasion.

The meeting came ahead of the annual NATO summit which is to be held in Lithuania next month. 31 leaders of the NATO member states will meet in Vilnius to discuss a number of issues including Sweden’s entrance into the alliance, and Stoltenberg’s possible successor as the NATO chief.

During his meeting with the U.S. President in the Oval Office, Stoltenberg said that Ukraine is making progress in its counteroffensive against Russia and predicted that NATO leaders will increase military assistance for Kyiv after the NATO summit next month.

He also thanked the U.S. Congress and the American people for their critical support for Ukraine. He said that the U.S. is leading the way in support for Ukraine encouraging the European Allies and Canada to provide tens of billions of dollars of military, financial, and humanitarian aid.

Today, I sat down with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg at the White House to discuss the upcoming NATO Summit and how we will continue to strengthen our Alliance. pic.twitter.com/IdmKHi0Lhx
— President Biden (@POTUS) June 13, 2023

“We’ve strengthened NATO’s eastern flank, made it clear we’ll defend every inch of NATO territory,” U.S. President Joe Biden said during a joint press conference with the NATO Chief. “The commitment of the United States to NATO’s Article 5 is rock solid. And at our summit in Lithuania next month, we’re going to be building on that momentum.”

While in Washington, the NATO Chief also met with the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and a number of other U.S. Senators. Soon after his arrival in the U.S., the Biden Administration announced $325 million in fresh military aid to Ukraine.

Ukraine has launched its anticipated counteroffensive against Russian forces to recapture some of its territories. While Russia claims that the counteroffensive attempts have been destroyed in many places, Ukraine’s Western allies are ramping up support to help Kyiv capture some of its territories back from Russian forces.

*^{NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg meets with U.S. President Biden at White House. (Image Credit: NATO)}*

“The support that we are providing together to Ukraine is now making a difference on the battlefield as we speak because the offensive is launched and Ukrainians are making progress,” Stoltenberg said during his meeting with President Biden.

“It’s still early days, but what we do know is that the more land Ukrainians are able to liberate, the stronger hand they will have at the negotiating table.” He added.

Next NATO Chief

The White House Spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre commented on the outgoing NATO Chief’s performance saying that Stoltenberg “has done a fantastic job, a really wonderful job, during this history-making time. NATO has come together in a way that we haven’t seen in a very long time.” But she said that the U.S. “hasn’t made any decision yet” on the NATO leader succession issue.

With Stoltenberg expected to step down from his office in September this year, several options have surfaced for the next NATO Secretary General. The list includes Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who could be the first female secretary-general to lead the world’s largest military alliance. Britain UK’s Defense Minister Ben Wallace, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of Germany, Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas are also serious contenders for the post. There is also a slight possibility that Stoltenberg would keep his position as the NATO Chief. Stoltenberg did not answer when asked whether his tenure would be extended.