Biden and NATO leaders meet in Lithuania as Turkey agrees to back Sweden to join

Meanwhile, voters consider Sir Keir Starmer beats Rishi Sunak on all 17 management qualities, polling from Redfield & Wilton Strategies has discovered.

The Labour chief leads the Tory chief by 10 per cent, his joint-largest lead since Sunak entered No 10 on the query of who could be the higher prime minister.

Mr Sunak’s private approval ranking is at minus 16 per cent, its lowest in 4 months. Labour chief Keir Starmer’s web approval ranking stands at 9 per cent, up two factors from final week.

In welcoming U.S President Biden to the NATO summit, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has thanked him for his “strong leadership.”

Meanwhile, Biden instructed Stoltenberg that “I think it’s really important at this critical moment…that you continue to lead NATO. You’re trusted.”

“Your leadership really matters”, he added, expressing that he agreed with the “language you proposed relative to the future of Ukraine joining NATO.”

Speaking on Good Morning America, U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed that the summit will ship “a very robust package of support, both political and practical for Ukraine.”

On Ukraine’s pathway to membership, Blinken mentioned that “work remains to be done in terms of reforming its military and strengthening its democracy.” He added that the NATO alliance could be very “unified” and that it’s “going to demonstrate in very practical ways its enduring support for Ukraine, including the path to membership.”

On Sweden becoming a member of NATO, Blinken mentioned, “Our alliance is stronger, it’s bigger, […] it’s more united than it’s ever been. And among other things, that sends a very strong message to Vladimir Putin that he’s not going to outlast Ukraine, he’s not going to outlast NATO. We’re committed to supporting Ukraine in this war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine. We’re committed to making sure our alliance, our defensive alliance, is as strong as possible in case there’s any further Russian aggression.”

Finland’s international minister has mentioned she “understands” the considerations over the choice by the U.S. to ship cluster munitions to Ukraine.

Elina Valtonen mentioned: “I’m not saying it’s a mistake. I do see the considerations relating to that.

“The precept behind it’s clear: Helping Ukraine in defending its nation,” she mentioned in an interview on the summit’s sidelines.

“I welcome the statement issued by Türkiye, Sweden and the NATO Secretary General this evening, including the commitment by President Erdoğan to transmit the Accession Protocol for Sweden to Türkiye’s Grand National Assembly for swift ratification,” mentioned Joe Biden in an announcement on Monday.

“I stand ready to work with President Erdoğan and Türkiye on enhancing defense and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic area. I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Kristersson and Sweden as our 32nd NATO Ally. And I thank Secretary General Stoltenberg for his steadfast leadership.”

President Biden has hailed Finland and Sweden’s acceptance into Nato as a “historic moment”.

“This historic moment adding Finland and Sweden to NATO is consequential,” Biden mentioned, talking alongside Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg on the summit in Vilnius.

Mr Sunak’s first bilateral assembly after arriving on the summit was with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

It follows a breakthrough with Ankara, brokered by Mr Stoltenberg, to take away Turkey’s objections to Sweden being admitted to Nato.

President Joe Biden is greeted by Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nauseda as he arrives at Vilnius International Airport in Vilnius, Lithuania, Monday, 10 July, 2023.