US President Joe Biden convinced NATO leaders he was fit for office with a powerful speech at the opening of the alliance’s 75th anniversary, but it was not enough to dispel growing doubts about his chances of re-election in November.
Delegations from across Europe have been quietly meeting with advisers and others with ties to former US President Donald Trump as they grapple with the possibility – some say likelihood – of him reclaiming the Oval Office. They hoped to get a clearer picture of what a Trump victory could mean for an alliance he frequently criticizes.
European officials who expressed confidence in Biden’s reelection hopes this spring were more somber in private conversations this week. Some tried to look on the bright side, arguing that Trump would have a hard time carrying out his threats to undermine security guarantees for NATO members or force Ukraine into a hasty peace deal with Vladimir Putin.
