US president’s headline speech seeks to convince foreign leaders that he is up to task of leading military alliance as Washington summit begins
US president Joe Biden: 'Today, Nato is stronger than it’s ever been in its history'. Photograph: Andrew Harnik/Getty Imageswith five new strategic air defence systems as leaders began a summit in Washington where the alliance was expected to declare Ukraine’s path toward Nato to be “irreversible”.
In forceful tones, Mr Biden said: “Before this war, Putin thought Nato would break. Today, Nato is stronger than it’s ever been in its history. When this senseless war began, Ukraine was a free country. Today it’s still a free country and the war will end with Ukraine remaining a free and independent country.”In a speech later in the night, Mr Zelenskiy urged US political leaders not to wait for the outcome of November’s presidential election to move forcefully to aid his country.
The United States, Germany and Romania would send additional batteries of the Patriot air defence system while Patriot components donated by the Netherlands would enable another battery to operate, according to a statement by the leaders of the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Romania.
Britain’s new prime minister, Keir Starmer, and Mr Zelenskiy, were among those arriving at the US capital amid a warning that Russia could step up missile strikes on Ukraine this week, repeating a barrage that killed at least 38 on Monday.
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