NATO Summit Breaking: Biden promises New air Defenses for Ukraine in Forceful NATO Speech
U.S. President Joe Biden declared that Russia aims to "wipe Ukraine off the map," but asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not succeed. Biden announced that Washington and its allies will supply Ukraine with further weapons, including additional air-defence systems. Emphasising full collective support, he stated that "Ukraine can and will stop Putin." On the first day of the NATO summit, Biden confirmed Western donations of additional Patriot missile systems and interceptors to Ukraine, asserting that the war will conclude with Ukraine as a free and independent country, and that "Russia will not prevail."
#JoeBiden #NATO #BidenFierySpeech #BidenSpeechNATO #BidenFierySpeechNATO #Ukraine #Putin #NATOSummit #PatriotMissiles #AirDefense #CollectiveSupport #FreeUkraine #IndependentCountry #RussiaNotPrevail #BidenSpeech #GlobalSecurity #InternationalRelations #WorldLeaders
~PR.152~GR.121~HT.96~ED.194~
#JoeBiden #NATO #BidenFierySpeech #BidenSpeechNATO #BidenFierySpeechNATO #Ukraine #Putin #NATOSummit #PatriotMissiles #AirDefense #CollectiveSupport #FreeUkraine #IndependentCountry #RussiaNotPrevail #BidenSpeech #GlobalSecurity #InternationalRelations #WorldLeaders
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00:00Distinguished guests, Master Sergeant Biro Buzajko, United States Marine Corps.
00:29Distinguished guests, Master Sergeant Biro Buzajko, United States Marine Corps.
00:59These experiences have instilled in me resilience, offered invaluable perspective, and deepened my appreciation for life's complexities.
01:12They underscore the importance of individuals whose courage and sacrifice go beyond the call of duty.
01:20Tonight, as we come together to honor such remarkable stories and achievements,
01:25let us be inspired by the profound impact one person's journey can have on shaping our world.
01:32It is my privilege to introduce and welcome one of those individuals this evening,
01:37Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, a distinguished leader who has shaped the course of NATO's history.
01:44Secretary General Stoltenberg has served as NATO Secretary General since October 2014.
01:50Across a career that has included service as Prime Minister of Norway and UN Special Envoy for Climate Change,
01:57Secretary General Stoltenberg has shaped the global response to the most pressing challenges of our day.
02:04His tenure at NATO has been marked by groundbreaking initiatives.
02:08Under his leadership, NATO has implemented its largest reinforcement of collective defense since the Cold War,
02:16enhancing readiness to address terrorism, cyber threats, and hybrid warfare.
02:21Secretary General Stoltenberg's leadership underscores the importance of unity and commitment among allies,
02:27ensuring NATO remains at the forefront of global security challenges.
02:32Please join me in welcoming Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
02:46Thank you.
02:56President Biden, Heads of State and Government, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
03:06It is a great honor to be with you here today.
03:11And it is good to see so many friends.
03:15Seventy-five years ago, in this very room, NATO's founding document, the Washington Treaty, was signed.
03:25Our Alliance was created by people who had lived through two devastating world wars.
03:35They knew only too well the horror, the suffering, and the terrible human cost of war.
03:43They were determined that this should never happen again.
03:48So they founded NATO.
03:52With a clear purpose, to preserve peace and safeguard freedom.
04:00A solemn promise, an ironclad commitment to protect each other, one for all and all for one.
04:14I have great respect for the Washington Treaty.
04:19Not least because it is so short.
04:28Just 14 paragraphs, only a few pages.
04:34Never have so few words meant so much to so many.
04:40Peace has been preserved.
04:43Freedom has been safeguarded.
04:47That makes NATO the most successful Alliance in history.
04:53When I arrived at NATO ten years ago,
04:59I was told that while it may be the most successful Alliance in history,
05:06it was not the longest lasting.
05:10That honor belonged to the Delian League of ancient Greek city-states.
05:19But the League lasted 74 years.
05:27So in this 75th anniversary of our Alliance,
05:32we can finally say that NATO is not only the most successful and the strongest,
05:39but also the longest lasting Alliance in history.
05:49To understand the enduring success of NATO, it is important to recognize
05:57our transatlantic Alliance was never a given.
06:03On the contrary, it is a result of deliberate choices and difficult decisions.
06:11Starting with NATO's creation.
06:17After World War II, many Americans wanted to leave Europe
06:24and bring their boys back home.
06:28Just as the United States did after World War I.
06:34Fortunately, this time, courageous leaders on both sides of the Atlantic
06:40were able to defy opposition and create a transatlantic Alliance
06:47to deter the Soviet threat.
06:51Gradually, a bold and controversial idea emerged
06:57that we needed to talk to our enemy
07:01to minimize the risk of an arms race spiraling out of control
07:07and leading to nuclear Armageddon.
07:11Step by step, through difficult talks and hard negotiations,
07:17an architecture of arms control was agreed.
07:21Thousands of weapons were destroyed.
07:25Transparency and trust built.
07:29The world became a safer place due to deterrence and defense,
07:35but also due to disarmament and dialogue.
07:41And in time, the Cold War ended without NATO firing a shot.
07:48This opened a historic window of opportunity
07:52and brought us to another critical decision.
07:56Whether to enlarge NATO and welcome all adversaries as new Allies.
08:05The countries of the former Warsaw Pact had already made their choice.
08:12They all wanted to join our Alliance.
08:16Towering personalities like Lech Walesa and Václav Havel led the way.
08:22The question was whether we were ready to open our door.
08:29Some feared that enlargement would dilute and weaken NATO
08:36and provoke Moscow.
08:39Just as at previous crossroads, it was not an obvious choice.
08:45It was not an easy decision.
08:48And it took time.
08:52But in the end, we stood up for the right of every nation to choose its own path.
09:00We opened NATO's door.
09:03Hardly any decision in modern history has changed Europe more profoundly.
09:10NATO enlargement unified Europe in a way that was previously unthinkable.
09:17Paved the way for EU integration and brought peace and prosperity across the continent.
09:25Allies showed clarity and determination then, as we must continue to do now.
09:36Russia's war against Ukraine is the biggest security crisis in generations.
09:43Ukraine has shown remarkable courage.
09:48And NATO Allies have provided unprecedented support.
09:55But let's be honest.
09:59Not even our support for Ukraine has been a given.
10:05It is not straightforward.
10:08Because our support comes with costs and risks.
10:15The reality is, there are no cost-free options with an aggressive Russia as a neighbour.
10:24There are no risk-free options in a war.
10:29And remember, the biggest cost and the greatest risk will be if Russia wins in Ukraine.
10:39We cannot let that happen.
10:50Not only would it embolden President Putin.
10:55It will also embolden other authoritarian leaders in Iran, in North Korea and China.
11:05They all support Russia's brutal war.
11:09They all want NATO to fail.
11:14So the outcome of this war will shape global security for decades to come.
11:23The time to stand for freedom and democracy is now.
11:29The place is Ukraine.
11:40Over the last 75 years, the transatlantic relationship has weathered many storms.
11:48We are bound together not only by interests, but also by history, tradition and values.
11:55But our alliance should not be taken for granted.
12:01It was not a given in 1949.
12:05It is not a given now.
12:08And it will not be a given in the decades to come.
12:13Everyone in this room has a responsibility.
12:17As political leaders, as experts, as citizens, we must show the same courage and determination in the future
12:28as was demonstrated in the past when NATO was founded and shaped.
12:34The future of our alliance depends not least on our men and women in uniform.
12:41They put their lives on the line each and every day to keep us safe.
12:48Yesterday, I laid a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery
12:56to pay my respects for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
13:03We owe them an eternal debt of gratitude.
13:07We honour them all.
13:11Mr President, dear friends,
13:16Our alliance is not perfect.
13:21And we will continue to face difficult decisions in the future.
13:28I do not know what the next crisis will be.
13:33But I do know that we are at our best when we take difficult decisions with political courage and moral clarity.
13:45And I know that we are stronger and safer together in NATO.
13:51It is good to have friends.
13:53Thank you.
14:03Good evening.
14:25Welcome.
14:27In 1949, leaders of 12 countries, including President Truman, came together in this very room.
14:35History was watching.
14:37It had been four years since the surrender of the Axis powers
14:42and the end of the most devastating war the world had ever, ever known.
14:48Here, these 12 leaders gathered to make a sacred pledge
14:54to defend each other against aggression, provide their collective security,
14:59and to answer threats as one.
15:02Because they knew to prevent future wars, to protect democracies,
15:07to lay the groundwork for a lasting peace and prosperity, they needed a new approach.
15:13They needed to combine their strengths.
15:16They needed an alliance.
15:18And here they signed the Washington Treaty and created the North Atlantic Treaty Organization,
15:25the single greatest, most effective defense alliance in the history of the world.
15:32Mr. Secretary General, leaders of NATO countries, foreign and defense ministers,
15:38representatives from partner nations, and the European Union,
15:42members of Congress, distinguished guests, welcome.
15:45Welcome to the 2024 NATO Summit.
15:49It's a pleasure.
15:56It's a pleasure to host you in this milestone year,
15:59to look back with pride at all we've achieved
16:02and look ahead to our shared future with strength and with resolve.
16:08Together, we rebuilt Europe from the ruins of war,
16:12held high the torch of liberty during long decades of the Cold War.
16:18When former adversaries became fellow democracies, we welcomed them into the alliance.
16:23When war broke out in the Balkans, we intervened to restore peace and stop ethnic cleansing.
16:29And when the United States was attacked on September 11th,
16:32our NATO allies, all of you, stood with us, invoking Article 5 for the first time in NATO history,
16:39treating an attack on us as an attack on all of us,
16:43a breathtaking display of friendship that the American people will never, ever, ever forget.
16:49Through all this history, when great changes occurred, people would ask, can NATO adapt?
16:57And every time we proved we could adapt, and we did,
17:02evolving our strategy to stay ahead of threats,
17:05reaching out to new partners to increase our effectiveness,
17:09and here with us today are countries from the Indo-Pacific region.
17:14They're here because they have a stake in our success, and we have a stake in theirs.
17:20Today, NATO is more powerful than ever,
17:2432 nations strong.
17:27For years, Finland and Sweden were among our closest partners.
17:32Now they have chosen to officially join NATO,
17:35and because of the power and meaning of Article 5 guarantee, that's the reason.
17:41It was the most important aspect of the alliance in 1949, and it's still the most important aspect.
17:47I'd also note, Finland and Sweden joined the alliance not just because their leaders sought it,
17:53because their citizens called for it in overwhelming numbers.
17:58Remember, NATO's character is fundamentally democratic,
18:03always has been and always must continue to be.
18:07And today, NATO is a better resource than it ever has been.
18:12I want to pause on this because it's significant.
18:16In the year 2020, the year I was elected president,
18:21only nine NATO allies were spending 2% of their defense GDP on defense.
18:26This year, 23 will spend at least 2%.
18:34And some will spend more than that.
18:37And the remaining countries that have not yet reached that milestone will get there soon.
18:43This remarkable progress, proof that our commitment is broad and deep,
18:49that we're ready, that we're willing, we're able to deter aggression
18:54and defend every inch of NATO territory across every domain,
18:59land, air, sea, cyber and space.
19:04My friends, it's good that we're stronger than ever,
19:08because this moment in history calls for our collective strength.
19:13Autocrats want to overturn global order,
19:18which is by and large kept for nearly 80 years and counting.
19:22Terrorist groups continue to plot evil schemes to cause mayhem and chaos and suffering.
19:28In Europe, Putin's war of aggression against Ukraine continues,
19:33and Putin wants nothing less, nothing less than Ukraine's total subjugation
19:39to end Ukraine's democracy, destroy Ukraine's culture, and to wipe Ukraine off the map.
19:48And we know Putin won't stop at Ukraine, but make no mistake,
19:53Ukraine can and will stop Putin.
19:58Especially with our full collective support, and they have our full support.
20:10Even before Russian bombs were falling on Ukraine, the alliance acted.
20:15I ordered the U.S. reinforcements at NATO's eastern flank,
20:19more troops, more aircraft, more capabilities.
20:24And now the United States has more than 100,000 troops on the continent of Europe.
20:30NATO moves swiftly as well, not only reinforcing the four existing battle groups in the east,
20:36but also adding four more in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia,
20:42essentially doubling NATO's strength on the eastern flank.
20:46Together, we've built a global coalition to stand with Ukraine.
20:52Together, we've provided significant economic and humanitarian assistance.
20:57And together, we've supplied Ukraine with weapons it needs to defend itself.
21:01Tanks, armored fighting vehicles, air defense systems, long-range missiles, and millions of munitions.
21:09The United States and nearly two dozen allied partners have signed a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine,
21:17and more countries will follow.
21:19Today, I'm announcing the historic donation of air defense equipment for Ukraine.
21:25The United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Italy will provide Ukraine with the equipment
21:33for five additional strategic air defense systems.
21:37And in the coming months, the United States and our partners intend to provide Ukraine
21:41with dozens of additional tactical air defense systems.
21:45The United States will make sure that when we export critical air defense interceptors,
21:50Ukraine goes to the front of the line.
21:59They will get this assistance before anyone else gets it.
22:02All told, Ukraine will receive hundreds of additional interceptors over the next year,
22:08helping protect Ukrainian cities against Russian missile and Ukrainian troops
22:13facing air attacks on their front lines.
22:16Make no mistake, Russia is failing in this war.
22:21More than two years into Putin's war of choice, its losses are staggering.
22:26More than 350,000 Russian troops dead or wounded.
22:30Nearly one million Russians, many of them young people, have left Russia
22:34because they no longer see a future in Russia.
22:37And Kiev, remember, fellas and ladies, was supposed to fall in five days, remember?
22:44But it's still standing two and a half years later and will continue to stand.
22:55All of the Allies knew that before this war, Putin thought NATO would break.
23:01Today, NATO is stronger than it's ever been in its history.
23:06When this census war began, Ukraine was a free country.
23:10Today, it is still a free country.
23:14And the war will end with Ukraine remaining a free and independent country.
23:20Russia will not prevail.
23:23Ukraine will prevail.
23:28Ladies and gentlemen, this is a pivotal moment for Europe, for the transatlantic community,
23:35and I might add for the world.
23:37Let's remember the fact that NATO remains the bulwark of global security
23:41did not happen by accident.
23:43It wasn't inevitable.
23:45Again and again at critical moments, we chose unity over disunion,
23:50progress over retreat, freedom over tyranny, hope over fear.
23:54Again and again, we stood behind our shared vision of a peaceful and prosperous
23:59transatlantic community.
24:01Here at this summit, we gather to proclaim NATO is ready and able to secure that vision
24:06today and well into the future.
24:15Let me say this.
24:17An overwhelming bipartisan majority of Americans understand that NATO makes us all safer.
24:24The fact that both Democratic and Republican parties are represented here today
24:29is a testament to that fact.
24:31The American people know that all the progress we've made in the past 75 years
24:37has happened behind the shield of NATO.
24:41And the American people understand what would happen if there was no NATO.
24:46Another war in Europe.
24:48American troops fighting and dying.
24:51Dictators spreading chaos.
24:53Economic collapse.
24:55Catastrophe.
24:57Americans, they know we're strong with our friends.
25:01And we understand this is a sacred obligation.
25:05As President Reagan put it, and I quote,
25:08if our fellow democracies are not secure, we cannot be secure.
25:13If you are threatened, we are threatened.
25:16If you're not at peace, we cannot be at peace.
25:20Reagan knew it then, and we know it now.
25:25Our nations will continue to keep faith with what we pledged in years to come.
25:31Now, if you'll indulge me, I'd like to end my remarks in a slightly unusual way.
25:38NATO is an alliance of nations, but also made up of leaders.
25:43And one person in particular has done an extraordinary job leading NATO for the last decade,
25:50Secretary General Stoltenberg, when he comes forward.
25:53APPLAUSE
26:05So much of the progress we've made in the alliance is thanks to the Secretary.
26:09He's a man of integrity and intellectual rigor.
26:14A calm temperament in a moment of crisis.
26:17A consummate diplomat who works with leaders across the political spectrum
26:21and always finds a way to keep us moving forward.
26:25Secretary, you've guided this alliance through one of the most consequential periods in its history.
26:30I realize I'm talking to your wife.
26:33I personally asked you to extend your service.
26:37Forgive me.
26:40And you put your own plans on hold.
26:43When the Russian war in Ukraine began, you didn't hesitate.
26:48Today, NATO is stronger, smarter, and more energized than when you began.
26:57And a billion people across Europe and North America, indeed the whole world,
27:02will reap the rewards of your labor for years to come
27:06in the form of security, opportunity, and greater freedom.
27:10For these reasons, I am pleased to award you the highest civilian honor the United States can bestow,
27:16the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
27:19I'm going to ask him to read the citation.
27:48The President of the United States of America awards this Presidential Medal of Freedom to Jens Stoltenberg.
27:56A visionary statesman and ceaseless defender of democracy,
28:00Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has guided the NATO alliance
28:04through the most consequential decade for European security since World War II.
28:10When Vladimir Putin launched his brutal assault on the people of Ukraine,
28:15betting that NATO would break, Secretary General Stoltenberg proved him wrong.
28:21Under his stewardship, NATO has become stronger and more united than ever,
28:26and Americans for generations to come will benefit from the safer world we helped create.
28:32He demonstrates that the core truth of the alliance is as powerful now as it was 75 years ago.
28:39Together, we are stronger.
29:09Thank you.