USA, Biden: “Ready to face Putin, my presidential campaign continues”

US President Joe Biden yesterday sought to project an image of strength and determination at a press conference held at the end of the annual NATO summit in Washington. The White House occupant sought to reassure allies and the international community of the United States’ unchanged role as guardians of democracy and freedom worldwide, particularly with regard to support for Ukraine under attack by Russia. Biden also reiterated once again his determination to continue his presidential campaign ahead of the November elections, despite growing calls from members of the Democratic Party to step down, following his disappointing performance in the first debate against Republican opponent Donald Trump.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has exposed “some of Europe’s oldest and deepest fears,” Biden said after the Washington summit. “Once again, a murderous madman is on the march in Europe,” the president added, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Despite the harsh attack, Biden said he was ready to confront his Russian counterpart “if he wants to talk to me,” but also warned that he was “ready to confront” him and China’s president, Xi Jinping, “now and three years from now.”

At the press conference, Biden provided an update on the ongoing crisis in Gaza, assuring that the United States was continuing the work begun months ago to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip that would allow the release of the hostages and pave the way for peace and stability in the Middle East. “I have presented a new ceasefire proposal and my team is in the region right now working through the details: it’s a complex issue, there are still differences to overcome but we are moving forward,” Biden said, adding that the war must end immediately. The president also reiterated that he opposes an Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip once the conflict ends.

For President Biden, the NATO summit press conference was primarily an opportunity to try to shore up Democratic support for his presidential campaign, and to put aside doubts about his physical and cognitive energy. The president has resumed presenting support for his re-election as an option, with the only alternative being Donald Trump’s return to the presidency. European allies “told me to win,” Biden said. “No one called me to ask me to step down, instead they keep telling me I have to win, and that Trump’s return would be a disaster.” According to Biden, the former US president would make “no commitment” to NATO, and “feels absolutely obligated to honor Article 5” on collective defense. “(Trump) has already told Vladimir Putin to do whatever he wants, but I believe a strong NATO is crucial to our security, and our obligations to the alliance are sacred,” the president said.

The US election campaign is “still long, and I will continue to move forward: we must finish the work we started, after so much progress,” said the president, claiming to be the “most qualified” person to lead the country: “I have already beaten Trump once, and I will do it again.” Biden said he was also available to undergo a new neurological test, if a recommendation to do so came from his doctor. However, the president said he had already undergone three tests that “indicate that I am in good shape: no one has asked me to do it, but if my doctor recommended it, I would not object to a new test.” The White House occupant also stressed his confidence in Vice President Kamala Harris: “I would not have chosen her if I did not think she was qualified to be president,” said Biden, who was however the protagonist of a gaffe, mistakenly referring to his assistant as “Vice President Trump.”