US President Biden arrives in London at start of three-country tour

(Patria) - US President Joe Biden arrived in London on Sunday, beginning a three-country trip dominated by the NATO summit in Lithuania aimed at showing solidarity with Ukraine in its fight against Russia, Reuters reported.

Biden landed at Stansted Airport and boarded a Marine One helicopter for central London, where he will meet with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak today. Later, he will travel to Windsor Castle to see King Charles. He will discuss climate initiatives with the king.

Biden will travel to Vilnius, Lithuania on Monday evening and will meet with NATO leaders on Tuesday and Wednesday. Biden and allies aim to show support for Ukraine and tell Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky what he will need to do to gain NATO membership at some point in the future.

In an interview with CNN before the trip, Biden urged caution in Ukraine's bid to join NATO, saying the alliance could be drawn into war with Russia due to the mutual defense pact.

"I don't think there is unanimity in NATO about whether to bring Ukraine into the NATO family now, at this moment, in the middle of a war," Biden said.

The centerpiece of Biden's visit to Lithuania will be a speech he will deliver at Vilnius University on Wednesday evening. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters that the speech will cover Biden's vision of "a strong, confident America accompanied by strong, secure allies and partners dealing with the significant challenges of our time, from Russian aggression in Ukraine to the climate crisis."

One of the goals of the trip is to show Americans the importance of continued support for Ukraine as he faces reelection. Some of his Republican rivals in the race for the November 2024 presidential election have expressed doubts about his strategy.

Biden's final stop will be in Helsinki, where he will meet with leaders of the newest NATO member, Finland, and attend a summit of US and Nordic leaders.