U.S. President Joe Biden affirmed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday that he looks forward to the day he can welcome the war-torn country into NATO. This statement came after Biden remarked that the time has not yet come for Ukraine to join the military alliance, while also confirming that "Sweden will be the 32nd member of NATO."
Before a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, Biden told Zelensky that "your resilience and determination are a model for the entire world." The U.S. president acknowledged the Ukrainian leader's frustration over the lack of timely assistance. He added to reporters, "I promise you that the United States will do everything possible to supply you with what you need."
Biden continued, "I look forward to the day we gather to celebrate your official membership in NATO." At the Vilnius summit, Biden emphasized that Ukrainians have not surrendered and remain resolute, and that the United States will not waver in its support for Ukraine. He stated, "The strength of the alliance cannot be underestimated, and Putin was wrong to think we would fall apart. We have not abandoned the Baltic states, and we maintain strong ties with them."
Regarding Russia, the U.S. president remarked that it has demonstrated it does not believe in diplomatic relations, expressing hope that this war—contrary to the United Nations Charters, which Russia violated by attacking Ukraine—will come to an end.
Additionally, Biden expressed confidence that the United States could sell F-16 planes to Turkey. Turkey has been a major obstacle to Sweden's NATO membership and is seeking to purchase F-16 fighter jets and equipment to upgrade its existing warplanes.
The White House stated that Presidents Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelensky discussed "the United States' readiness to begin negotiations with Ukraine on bilateral security commitments" during their meeting. The statement noted that the leaders also discussed the continued U.S. assistance to Ukraine in its "ongoing counteroffensive" against Russia.
