Leaders' Summit Gets Underway As US & Others Commit To Ukraine Air Defence

The NATO leaders' summit gets underway today in Washington, D.C., with international focus on the level of support agreed for Ukraine in its efforts to repel Russian attacks. In brief remarks to open the summit on the evening of 9 July, US President Joe Biden said that the alliance was "more powerful than ever" and that the world sat at a "pivotal moment" in the war in Ukraine. Biden pledged, alongside four other NATO members, to donate air defence systems, including Patriot missile batteries, to Ukraine in the wake of Russia's substantial missile barrage on 8 July that saw 43 civilians killed.

• Another focus of the summit will be the level of defence spending among members. 2% of GDP is the floor set by the alliance. Data released in June showed 23 of 32 members hitting this level. Canadian PM Justin Trudea is expected to come under increasing pressureto raise his gov'ts contribution. New UK PM Sir Keir Starmer is set to advocatefor increased funds as he faces calls to set out a timetable for his gov't reaching its target of 2.5% of GDP going on defence.
• The schedule for the first day of the leaders' summit is as follows: Sec-Gen and leaders' doorstep comments-0815ET/1315BST/1415CET, Sec-Gen address at Public Forum-1040ET/1540BST/1640CET, North Atlantic Council meeting w/ remarks from Pres. Biden 1300ET/1800BST/1900CET, Sec-Gen presser 1630ET/2130BST/2230CET/0530JST. Livestream of all events can be found here.