President Biden pledged Wednesday that the United States would “defend literally every inch of NATO” in the case of a Russian attack on NATO territory. Biden wrapped up a three-day diplomatic trip after meeting in Poland with leaders of the alliance’s easternmost countries, which are particularly concerned about Moscow’s aggression. The gathering follows Biden’s unannounced visit to Kyiv on Monday and comes a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the suspension of Russia’s participation in its last remaining nuclear pact with the United States as the two leaders underscored their growing division in dueling speeches.
In Moscow, China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, met with Putin, as the first anniversary of the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine approaches. Wang hailed relations between the two countries on Wednesday, saying they remained strong and would “not be overpowered” by “coercion or pressure” from other parties. China has said it is neutral in the Russia-Ukraine war but has also regularly given diplomatic support to Russia. U.S. and NATO officials have expressed concern that China could start providing other support, including weapons, for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Putin appeared at a stadium in Moscow on Wednesday for a rally and concert titled “Glory to Defenders of the Motherland,” where he honored Russian soldiers before a crowd of tens of thousands, waving Russian flags and singing along to patriotic songs.
Here’s the latest on the war and its impact around the globe.
A year in the trenches has hardened Ukraine’s president: Zelensky came into office thinking that he could achieve peace with Putin, but a year ago this week, he found himself hiding in a safe room in Kyiv at the start of experiences that have transformed him into a globally known, hard-bitten wartime leader, Paul Sonne and David L. Stern report.
“Of course, we all have changed, including the president,” said Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian presidential office. “The ordeals that have marked his tenure — they can’t but change a person. Has he become harder? Of course, he has. Has he become stronger? From my point of view, he was always strong.”
Christian Shepherd, Robyn Dixon and Natalia Abbakumova contributed to this report
