Washington, July 10 (RHC)-- U.S. President Joe Biden has welcomed heads of government from NATO member nations to Washington, D.C., for talks marking the 75th anniversary of the nuclear-armed military alliance. 

Biden opened the three-day summit Tuesday evening with a speech that celebrated NATO’s expansion — from 12 member states in 1949 to 32 members today.  And Biden pledged further NATO support for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.

The U.S. president said: “The United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Italy will provide Ukraine with the equipment for five additional strategic air defense systems.  And in the coming months, the United States and our partners intend to provide Ukraine with dozens of additional tactical air defense systems.  The United States will make sure that when we export critical air defense interceptors, Ukraine goes to the front of the line.”

On Tuesday, President Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States’ highest civilian honor, to outgoing NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.