Biden announces new NATO aid for Ukraine, as his reelection campaign teeters

President Joe Biden announced new commitments to help Ukraine bolster its air defense against Russia in a speech Tuesday commemorating NATO's 75th anniversary.

"Putin wants nothing less — nothing less — than Ukraine's total subjugation, to end Ukraine's democracy," Biden said. "We know Putin won't stop at Ukraine. But make no mistake: Ukraine can and will stop Putin, especially with our full collective support."

The aid will include new batteries and components for Patriot missile systems, donated by the U.S., Germany, Romania, the Netherlands and other partners. Italy will donate an additional SAMP-T missile system.

Speaking from a teleprompter, Biden said that more air defense supplies will be distributed to Ukraine in the coming months.

The announcement comes over two years into Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine, a war that has become a point of contention on Capitol Hill as lawmakers remain divided on whether to keep providing funds for Ukraine's defense.

Biden's speech also served as the latest example of the split screen looming over the 2024 NATO Summit this week: As the president holds high-stakes meetings with foreign allies, his political future in the U.S. Democratic Party is on the line.

The president's Tuesday remarks were another opportunity for him to assuage Democratic fears about his 2024 candidacy, following his disastrous debate performance against former President Donald Trump in June.

Since then, cracks have emerged within the Democratic Party as some lawmakers, donors and strategists publicly urge Biden to bow out of the race and allow a new nominee to step forward.

Earlier Tuesday, House Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., joined the growing tally of Democratic lawmakers officially calling on Biden to drop out.