NATO Summit Concludes with Focus on Ukraine and Russia

NATO leaders will conclude their Washington summit focusing on Ukraine and countering Russia's threat to Europe. U.S. President Biden faces growing calls from his party to drop his re-election bid. Discussions include China's perceived threats, U.S. missile deployment in Germany, and strengthening NATO-Indo-Pacific ties.

NATO leaders will conclude their Washington summit on Thursday with a clear focus on backing Ukraine and countering what the allies say is the growing threat Russia poses to Europe. U.S. President Joe Biden faces growing calls from members of his Democratic party to drop his re-election bid.

Before a summit session devoted to Ukraine, the 32 NATO countries and EU leaders will meet with partners from the Indo-Pacific Four - Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea - to discuss perceived threats posed by China and Russia.

European leaders worry the U.S. presidential election could shift Washington's support for Ukraine and NATO. Republican candidate Donald Trump has questioned U.S. aid to allies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will hold a news conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

In a warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the U.S. announced it would deploy longer-range missiles in Germany by 2026. NATO members pledged at least 40 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine within the next year. NATO also sharply criticized China, calling it a key enabler of Russia's war effort.

Biden aims to show NATO's strength and promised continued support for Ukraine. However, European officials have also engaged with a top foreign policy adviser to Trump. Zelenskiy urged U.S. political leaders to act swiftly to help Ukraine before the U.S. election.