Joe Biden received in Washington heads of NATO member states

U.S. President Joe Biden welcomes the heads of NATO member states to Washington on Tuesday for their annual summit, Reuters reported.

Biden has made rebuilding traditional United States alliances abroad to counter the threat of autocracies a centerpiece of his foreign policy after Biden's Republican Party opponent Donald Trump challenged allies to an "America First" approach.

The winner of the US presidential election could have a significant impact on the future of NATO and Europe, Reuters emphasizes.

Trump suggested that if re-elected for a second term, he would not defend NATO members who have not met the alliance's defense spending target of 2 percent of their GDP if they were militarily attacked.

He also questioned the amount of aid given to Ukraine during the war with Russia.

 Aides said Biden's opening speech, expected at 5 p.m. Eastern Time (9 p.m. GMT), will emphasize what his administration sees as a key achievement: a stronger and more cohesive NATO under Washington's leadership, with more members and a determination to meet its collective security needs.

Aides said Biden's opening speech, expected at 5 p.m. ET (9 p.m. GMT), will emphasize what his administration sees as a key achievement: a stronger and more cohesive NATO under Washington's leadership, with more members and a determination to meet its collective security needs.

This, they say, is producing tangible results for American voters: the country is more secure, with a strong international economic position, more alliances and influence abroad, and less at risk of conflict with its adversaries.