Biden presents NATO chief with Presidential Medal of Freedom
![Biden presents NATO chief with Presidential Medal of Freedom](https://thehill.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/AP24191812663852-e1720565906305.jpg?w=900)
President Biden on Tuesday opened the 75th anniversary summit of NATO by acknowledging the decade-long leadership of the outgoing secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award of the U.S.
In a moment that appeared to take the secretary-general by surprise, Biden invited Stoltenberg up on stage of the Mellon Auditorium during his remarks at the ceremony kicking off the three-day summit, which is celebrating the alliance's milestone but is focused on supporting Ukraine in its defensive war against Russia.
“The secretary has guided the alliance through one of its most consequential periods in its history. I realized, talking to your wife, I personally asked you to extend your service, forgive me,” Biden said and gained a laugh from the audience.
“You put your own plans on hold when the Russian war in Ukraine began, you didn’t hesitate. Today NATO is stronger, smarter and more energized than when you began. And a billion people across Europe and North America, indeed the whole world, will reap the rewards of your labor for years to come, in the form of security, opportunity and greater freedom,” Biden said.
“For these reasons, I’m pleased to award you the highest civilian honor the United States can bestow, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”
Stoltenberg, a former prime minister of Norway, will be succeeded this year as secretary-general by Mark Rutte, former prime minister of the Netherlands.
Stoltenberg stepped into the NATO leadership role in 2014, when Russia launched its first invasion of eastern Ukraine and took over the Crimean Peninsula, taking the alliance by surprise.
That event led to the NATO pledge for each member state to commit to spending 2 percent of gross domestic product on domestic defense spending, a goal that Stoltenberg announced will be reached by 23 of NATO’s 32 member states in 2024.
The secretary-general is credited with leading the alliance amid political attacks throughout the years — from French President Emmanuel Macron’s assertion that the alliance is “brain-dead” in 2019 and former President Trump holding back a commitment to NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense pillar.
The alliance’s mission of operating by consensus has, at times, been hijacked by Turkey and Hungary, who most recently delayed the accession of Finland and Sweden over political demands.
In remarks at the opening ceremony, Stoltenberg laid out the stakes for the alliance for the summit, which is focused on scaling up support for Ukraine to survive Russia’s war of aggression. The alliance is expected to announce a significant package of military and financial assistance and new commitments to bring Ukraine closer to joining NATO, but has held back a formal invitation over concerns of provoking Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Let’s be honest, not even our support for Ukraine has been a given, it is not straightforward because our support comes with costs and risks,” Stoltenberg said.
“The reality is that there are no cost-free options with an aggressive Russia as a neighbor, no risk-free options in a war. And remember the biggest cost and the greatest risk will be if Russia wins in Ukraine. We cannot let that happen.”
“Our alliance is not perfect, and we’ll continue to face difficult decisions in the future,” he continued.
“I don’t know what the next crisis will be but I do know that we are at our best when we take difficult decisions with political courage and moral clarity, and I know that we are stronger and safer together in NATO. It is good to have friends.”
Date: | |
Tag: | Joe Biden |
-
CBS News - Top stories
Biden proposes Supreme Court, presidential immunity reform
The White House detailed Monday how President Biden wants to address Supreme Court reform by implementing term limits and an ethics code for the court's justices. Mr. Biden is also proposing changes to limit presidential immunity. CBS News legal ...13 hr ago - Joe Biden -
CBS News - Top stories
Secret Service acting chief presents images, "cannot defend" Trump rally security lapse
During a Senate hearing, Secret Service Acting Director Ronald Rowe Jr. testified that he "cannot defend" the security lapses surrounding the building a shooter used to target former President Donald Trump near a campaign rally in Butler, ...16 hr ago - Donald Trump -
ABC News - Top stories
Biden rips 'extreme opinions' as he pushes for Supreme Court reform
President Joe Biden marked the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act and gave remarks on his new Supreme Court proposals at the LBJ Presidential Library.7 hr ago - Joe Biden -
The Wall Street Journal - World
Biden Calls for Overturn of Presidential Immunity: 'The Court Made a Ruling for One'
The president also endorsed proposals for a mandatory ethics code and 18-year term limit for justices.7 hr ago - Joe Biden -
ABC News - World
Biden and Lula urge Venezuelan authorities to release full, transparent and detailed presidential election voting data
Biden and Lula urge Venezuelan authorities to release full, transparent and detailed presidential election voting data9 hr ago - Joe Biden -
ABC News - World
Carter Center unable to verify Venezuela election results, blasts officials for lack of transparency
The Carter Center said it was unable to verify the results of Venezuela’s presidential election and blamed authorities for a “complete lack of transparency” in declaring Nicolas Maduro the winner without providing any individual polling tallies4 hr ago -
The Wall Street Journal - World
Biden called for a constitutional amendment overturning the Supreme Court's recent decision awarding former presidents immunity for crimes they commit while in office, and endorsed proposals for a mandatory ethics code and 18-year term limit for justices.
Biden called for a constitutional amendment overturning the Supreme Court’s recent decision awarding former presidents immunity for crimes they commit while in office, and endorsed proposals for a mandatory ethics code and 18-year term limit for ...4 hr ago - Joe Biden -
Financial Times - World
Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra delivers a glorious Beethoven Nine
The concert at St Paul’s Cathedral with the Royal Opera House’s Songs for Ukraine Chorus revised the symphony’s message of joy20 hr ago - Ukraine -
The Wall Street Journal - World
A Presidential Transition Is Now Guaranteed
Candidates were supposed to name their transition heads nearly three months ago.13 hr ago -
ESPN - Sports
Olympic chiefs 'confident' for Wednesday triathlon
World Triathlon and Paris 2024 officials have said they are "confident" that the men's and women's Olympic triathlon races can be staged on Wednesday despite an expected rainstorm due to hit Paris on Tuesday evening.5 hr ago - NFL
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
Election deniers gain ground: 5 early takeaways from Arizona's primaries
Arizona’s primaries on Tuesday night saw numerous candidates who have questioned the results of past elections gain ground, the latest sign of Donald Trump’s deepening imprint on the GOP in the Grand Canyon State. In the most significant races of ...2 hr ago -
The Hill - Politics
Kari Lake wins Arizona Senate primary, teeing up showdown with Gallego
Republican Kari Lake easily glided to victory in the Arizona Senate GOP primary, according to a projection from Decision Desk HQ, teeing up a marquee showdown between her and Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego. Lake was largely seen as the presumptive ...4 hr ago -
The Hill - Politics
Gallego wins Democratic Senate primary in Arizona
Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) has won the Democratic primary in the Arizona Senate race, according to a projection from Decision Desk HQ. Gallego ran uncontested in the Democratic contest to replace retiring Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), and he ...5 hr ago -
The Hill - Politics
Durbin says Harris' shift on some policies won't change how people vote
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) downplayed concerns that changes in Vice President Harris’s positions could influence voters in November. Harris’s policy platform has changed somewhat since her 2020 presidential campaign, including now backing fracking, ...5 hr ago -
The Hill - Politics
Kelly says Democrats can win his Senate seat if he becomes vice president
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) said he’s confident that Democrats can keep his Senate seat in a special election if he is elected vice president, as speculation rises over who Vice President Harris will choose as her running mate. Kelly told CNN’s Manu ...5 hr ago