Biden heads overseas for NATO and allied meetings amidst domestic challenges.

President Biden Embarks on Challenging Trip Abroad

Even as troubles mount at home, President Joe Biden is leaving for a trying trip abroad. He will be engaging in important meetings and discussions with world leaders to address pressing global issues.

London and Vilnius: Key Destinations

Biden’s journey begins on July 9 and 10 in London, where he will meet with King Charles III and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. From there, he will travel to Vilnius, Lithuania, for crucial NATO meetings amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine. The trip will conclude with a stop in Helsinki on July 13, where the President will meet with Nordic leaders.

Progress and Leadership on the World Stage

According to national security advisor Jake Sullivan, this trip reflects the progress made by the United States in regaining its global standing as a strong and trusted partner for peace, progress, and security. It will also showcase President Biden’s leadership on the world stage.

Challenges and Signals of Support

While the trip marks clear progress for NATO, with Finland’s ascension to the alliance, the war in Ukraine remains one of the most significant foreign policy crises of Biden’s presidency. The location of the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, holds particular significance due to its proximity to the border with Belarus, a client state of Russia. This location sends a signal of support to Lithuania and its Baltic neighbors, as well as to Russia and Belarus.

Similarly, Finland’s new NATO membership is significant due to its 830-mile border with Russia. One of the trip’s goals is to secure Sweden’s NATO membership as well, with ongoing discussions and objections from Turkey and Hungary.

Commitment to Ukraine and Questions on Strategy

President Biden recently met with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, expressing support for Sweden’s NATO accession. The extension of NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg’s term also signals the alliance’s strength and unity. However, the meetings take place amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine, with counteroffensive actions underway. The level of support for Ukraine remains a topic of discussion, with questions about the financial commitment and the end goal of the war.

Victoria Coates, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, emphasizes the need for clarity on the war’s objectives and the national security interests at stake. She questions the significant investment made by the United States in a European war and calls for a clear vision of victory.

As President Biden embarks on this challenging trip, the world watches to see how he navigates these complex issues and demonstrates his leadership on the global stage.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases