Wednesday’s statement by President Biden indicated that the U.S. would significantly increase its presence in Europe over the long-term, including by setting up its first permanent presence at Poland to boost regional security following Russia’s invasion.
At the Madrid opening of NATO’s annual leaders summit, Mr. Biden met with Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General. He stated that NATO is “strong and united” and that the actions taken at the gathering will “further enhance our collective strength.”
Biden announced the permanent based of a U.S. military force in Poland as part of his participation at the summit. Biden also announced that the U.S. will send two more F-35 fighter-jet squadrons to the UK, and will provide additional air defense capabilities to Germany as well as Italy.
He said, “Today I’m announcing that the United States will increase our force posture within Europe and respond to changing security environments as well as strengthen our collective security.”
Stoltenberg, who had earlier Wednesday stated that the alliance was facing its greatest challenge since World War II due to Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine, welcomes Mr. Biden’s announcement.
Stoltenberg stated, “This really demonstrates you decisive leadership and strength trans-Atlantic bonds,” and thanked Mr. Biden “unwavering support from USA to Ukraine”.
Biden stated that the U.S. would permanently place the U.S. Army V Corps Forward Command in Poland. This move, he claimed, would improve U.S.-NATO cooperation across the alliance’s eastern flank. This is the first time that U.S. forces have been permanently based on NATO’s Eastern edge. Biden said that the U.S. will also increase its rotational deployments to the Baltic and Romania.
Celeste Wallander is an assistant U.S. Secretary of Defense for International Affairs and stated to reporters that a permanent presence will help NATO navigate the altered security environment in Europe due to Russia’s invasion. The bulk of NATO’s military strength is supplied by the United States.
Officials from the United States stressed that permanent basing was only for headquarters units and not combat troops. This is consistent with the 1997 agreement between NATO Russia, in which NATO agreed not to base combat troops in Eastern Europe. It also aimed to strengthen ties in the post-1945 environment.
Pawel Jablonski, Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister, stated to the state news agency PAP that the U.S. decision to create a command structure was a “manifestation” of the ever-closer cooperation between the U.S.S.S. and Poland and would provide NATO allies with a frontline view into the Russian threat.
To maintain compliance with the agreement, the combat units that Mr. Biden has sent to Romania and to the Baltic region are being deployed on rotational assignments, not permanent assignments.
John Kirby, a spokesperson for Mr. Biden’s National Security Council, stated that there has not been any communication with Moscow regarding these changes.
After arriving at the summit, Mr. Biden announced Tuesday that the U.S. would add two more destroyers to its naval base in Rota (Spanish), bringing the total to six.
The U.S. has over 100,000 military personnel deployed in Europe at the moment, an increase of around 20,000 since the invasion by Russian President Vladimir Putin four months ago.
Biden said that this week’s meetings would be a historic one. Leaders were expected to announce new strategic plans, increase defense spending, and open the door for Sweden and Finland to join NATO.
Putin believed NATO members would split after he invaded Ukraine. But, Mr. Biden got the exact opposite response.
“Putin was looking to the Finland-ization Europe,” Mr. Biden stated. “You’re going to get NATO-ization for Europe. That’s precisely what he wanted, but exactly the right thing to do to ensure security for Europe.
Turkey, which was the last to approve the accession of the Nordic countries to NATO, came to an agreement late Tuesday night to support their inclusion in the 30-nation alliance.
Although the White House stated that the U.S. wasn’t involved in the negotiations, a senior administration representative said that Mr. Biden met with Turkish President Recep Takyip Erdogan Tuesday to encourage him and open the door for Sweden and Finland to join. According to the White House, the two leaders will meet Wednesday afternoon to discuss additional issues.
On Wednesday, Mr. Biden will also meet with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minster Fumio Kishhida. They are all attending the NATO summit to help strengthen their ties in the Indo-Pacific and address China’s challenges.
According to the White House, the leaders will also discuss North Korea’s ballistic and nuclear missile programs.
