In a bid to secure transatlantic support for Ukraine and demonstrate his ability to handle the rigors of the presidency, President Biden is hosting the NATO summit in Washington. The meeting, marking NATO's 75th anniversary, comes at a crucial moment for the president as he navigates a challenging reelection campaign and faces the prospect of a return to the Oval Office by NATO skeptic Donald Trump.

Addressing world leaders, President Biden emphasized the importance of NATO's role in safeguarding global stability, particularly in the face of terrorism threats and Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine. To deepen the alliance's commitment, the president announced the donation of air defense equipment for Ukraine from the U.S., Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, and Italy. He also celebrated the addition of Finland and Sweden to NATO and noted the significant uptick in defense spending by member nations.

Amidst the summit discussions, President Biden aims to dispel doubts about his mental acuity and overall competence, which have been raised by some Democratic lawmakers and donors. In a letter to congressional Democrats, he reaffirmed his commitment to the race and asserted he is the best candidate to defeat Donald Trump in 2024.

The summit also offers President Biden an opportunity to engage with world leaders, including the newly elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The meeting with Starmer, scheduled for Wednesday, is expected to reinforce the strong transatlantic ties.

Highlighting the importance of the summit, Ian Brzezinski, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, stressed that President Biden needs to use the event to counter the negative perception left by his lackluster debate performance. Brzezinski stated that the president should demonstrate his leadership, resolve, and commitment to NATO.

Throughout the summit, NATO is expected to announce details of Ukraine's pathway to membership into the alliance. While acknowledging that the conflict with Russia must be resolved before Ukraine can join, leaders will discuss efforts to establish a coordination center in Germany to support Ukraine in training, equipping, and coordinating logistics for its future NATO accession.

The outcome of the NATO summit holds significant implications for President Biden's reelection campaign, as he seeks to showcase his ability to navigate global challenges and maintain strong alliances. As the president works to garner support from wavering Democrats, the summit serves as a platform to project strength and reaffirm his leadership.

The summit concludes before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee next week, providing President Biden with one of his last international appearances before Election Day. With the spotlight on him, the president aims to prove that he remains a capable leader, committed to upholding NATO's principles and defending the interests of the United States and its allies.