♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ announcer: funding for presentation of this program is provided by... woman: a law partner rediscovers her grandmother's artistry and creates a trust to keep the craft alive. a raymond james financial advisor gets to know you,

your passions and the way you enrich your community. life well planned. announcer: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. announcer: and now, "bbc news" c world news america. c nato leaders pledged air defense and weapons for ukraine at the annual summit in washington. we spoke to nato member denmark and the alliance's newest member, sweden about plans to counter russian threats. >> ukraine must have their own right to decide their own future. it's important for us to deliver equipment and critical support and financial support.

>> skepticism from democratic senators about u.s. president joe biden as concerns over his reelection bid loom over the nato summit. >> hello. you are very welcome to world news america. pledges of air defenses and more planes for ukraine dominated the nato summit here in washington. in a joint statement nato leaders promised 40 billion euro , 43 billion dollars of military aid for the war-torn country and reaffirmed members will need to contribute more than the traditional 2% target of gdp to defense spending. you have -- u.s. secretary of state d in a blink and said as 16 fighter jets are being transferred to ukraine from two nato members as part of an

effort to wrestle control of both the skies over ukraine from russia. and in a blink and expects nato to unveil a package for ukraine by the end of the summit to put it on a path to eventually joining the alliance. the nato secretary-general and u.s. president opened the first working session of the summit was about -- with a vow to strengthen the 32 member organization. >> every nato member is committed to doing their part to keeping the alliance strong. we cannot and will defend every inch of nato territory together. we are investing in our future strength to ensure that nato will always be ready for whatever threats we face. >> ukrainian president vladimir zelinski met the new u.k. prime minister cara starmer keir sta

wednesday days after the labour party brought an end to conservatives 14 years in power. the u.k. has beenrmer to ukraine since russia invaded in february of 2022. president zelinski thanked the prime minister for his help. >> from the messages from your government, we are thankful for your words and that you have been with us from the very beginning of the war. thank you for the military and financing packages, the support. thank you very much. >> another topic of discussion at the summit is u.s. election as a former president donald trump eyes a return to the white

house some nato countries are privately expressing concern over what a donald trump victory in november could mean for the future of the military alliance. donald trump condemned member states not honoring a 20 commitment to spend 2% of their national gross domestic product on defense. in february mr. trump said if the lead to the u.s. would not provide military protection to any nato member state that had not met its financial obligations. wednesday nato secretary-general said he believed the u.s. would continue to stand by the alliance no matter who wins the november election. denmark's foreign minister said nato would be stronger than ever and not be affected if donald trump or to become president. joining us now is one of those allies that committed f-16 fighter jets to ukraine, the prime minister of denmark. thank you for joining us on bbc news.

tell us about the f-16 jets that your selves and the netherlands have pledged to send to ukraine. how many are you sending? when are they likely to arrive? >> this is one of the most important donations from us to ukraine. because it's a very powerful weapon. it is something ukraine has been asking for sense almost the beginning of the war. we are working together closely with especially the netherlands and the u.s.. it's difficult. it is not only a very powerful weapon. it is also very technical. the training has been going on for almost a year now. but, the first batch of planes will arrive in ukraine during the summer. it is something that the country is really hoping for.

and, ready to welcome. it is a very important donation. >> how many jets will be in the first batch? >> well, we decided to donate 19 . in the coalition, other countries are donating as well. the first batch will be around six. >> about six. ok. president zelensky said he needs about 128 jets to make a difference against russia. while nato allies, member nations, be in a position to pledge more in the coming weeks and months? >> well, i hope so. it is a very important mission. to take. of course, it cannot be seen on its own. i would say for now, right now,

air defense is the most critical thing ukraine needs. they asked for a defense for a long time. many many months ago we decided to deliver our old artillery from the larger ukraine because it is better used in ukraine. the same goes for air defense. we have a lot of air defense systems in nato, in the u.s. and europe. especially when you look at western europe, air defense is better used in ukraine that in our own countries. this is my main message when it comes to ukraine and it donations. our own defense when it comes to russia starts in ukraine. we needed to give them what we need. we need to do it faster. lo now. the war has gone on for 2.5 years, extremely long.

all of the time we have been moving a bit, if you ask me, too slow. i think now it is time to start a discussion about not only delivering what they need to protect themselves, and air defense is critical. but, we need to deliver what they needed to push russians back. >> president zelensky said what he needs is to be able to use the weapons donated to him inside russia to strike russian targets. denmark does not put any restrictions on the donations. but, the u.s. does. is that something you would like to see change? >> well, look at the things we are donating and fincing. it has to be used according to international law, of course. it means it can be used inside ukraine and also outside ukraine if it is with military purpose

and according to international law. for me, it is quite clear this is necessary for ukraine. because what we see from russia is brutal. it's brutal attacks. just a few days ago it was a hospital in kyiv. i am out of words. looking at that. they have almost destroyed everything when it comes to energy infrastructure now in ukraine. so, of course, we need to give them the weapons and capacity to strike back on russia. it has to be according to inteational law, of course, the -- but that has been the premise since the beginning of the war. >> prime minister, briefly, you said progress to help ukraine has been slow at times. can ukraine ultimately won the war against russia?

>> they have to. i see no alternative. if we allow russia to decide borders in europe, what is left in europe? i see no alternative. i mean, since the end of the second world war we have established a world order, a framework with respect for human rights, democracy, and borders. and, the integrity of national states. if we allow russia, or anyone else, to decide upon borders with no respect for human life and no respect for democracy and no respect for international rules and everything we believe in is over. for me there is no alternative. maybe that's why from the beginning of the war i have been clear that we have to help ukraine with whatever it takes for as long as it takes.

because they are standing on the right position in the war. i don't think we can ever expect russia to take decisions about other countries in europe. >> denmark has been one of the top contributors to ukraine from the outset. we have to leave it there. thank you for speaking to us on bbc news. the two newest nato member in sweden and finland for decades maintained a position of military neutrality and not alliance. it changed when russia invaded ukraine in 2022 ending a long time of stability in northern europe and left the two nations vulnerable to aggression. both countries increased their defense budgets while providing significant military aid to ukraine. nato excepted finland as a member in april 2023 with sweden admitted in march of this year. earlier i asked the swedish

prime minister about how his country perceives the threat of russia since joining the alliance. >> i think that everybody knows we had cited -- decided to apply for membership after the invasion, even though quite a fluke -- a few of us, me included, for a decade advocated for swedish membership. but it was off the table then suddenly got on the table. everybody thought we applied because we realized we needed, and protection. but, i stress that we bring things to the table. we bring geography. look at the map. everybody is not that acquainted with the northern part of europe but when you look at about from norway to the west, denmark to the south, sweden, finland, the baltic states. now, northern and nato is complete, i would say. we can defend ourselves jointly in a more efficient way. second, specific capabilities with fighters, submarines, intelligence, air surveillance,

international experience troops as well. i think we are recognized for bringing things to the alliance as well. >> do you perceive are there to be a specific threat against sweden from russia? >> well, for decades, russia has been the defining threat, the defining force for sweden and swedish armed forces for decades. there is nothing new in that. what is new is not the russian capability of using violence towards nato. the new thing is the willingness. that is what we see in ukraine. of course, we see that as an existential threat to our part of the world. and also, as a reason for not only becoming a member of nato, but also, strengthening our swedish armed forces.

as do most neighboring countries as well. >> sweden will meet the 2% minimum requirement this year. not all members well. is that enough? should the minimum ceiling be raised? >> it is not enough, but it is important to acknowledge that it is happening from 23 countries now i think reaching that goal or that floor, perhaps you should say. that you should not spend less. i have full respect for all the countries that argue for much higher defense spendings. the closer you come to russia, the more that is obvious. we have been doubling our defense spendings over the last four years. we are heading to 2.6% in the coming years. i think that we really do our share of it. but still, there is competition

internationally for equipment, for example. we realized russia is rapidly rebuilding their capabilities after the losses in ukraine. ukraine must decide for their own future. that is why it's important for us to deliver equipment, political support, and financial support. >> speaking of what ukraine wants, at this summer some allies will be giving a greater air defense system, f-16s will be given but what president zelensky wants us to be a nato member. no invitation will be issued this time around page of the process be fast-track? >>t is pretty fast as is the path for ukraine into the european union. that is fast as well. there are still basic conditions you need to fulfill and i think that most people realize you cannot become a member of nato as long as you are in the midst of a war. that's a reason to end this war

with a ukrainian victory as soon as possible. and after that, maket possible for them to become nato members and choose all of their own future security arrangements by themselves. >> do you think ukraine is making progress towards that victory? >> i think they are. i think the whole world realizes now that russia is a huge aggressor. they had been faster and more successful in rebuilding their capabilities than we expected from the beginning. that is a good reason for us to deploy even more material to ukraine and be more bold in our efforts. take sweden as an example. we decided to enter three year guaranteed delivery scheme, 7 billion euros, dollars, basically. partly to say we are in it for the long term at a party say we realize this is a huge economic investment, but, we also consider it toe an investment

in defending sweden. >> the weapons of sweden gets to ukraine and you don't put any restrictions on how ukraine can use them. the u.s. does put restrictions on and that is another thing president zelensky is looking to have lifted. i do think the u.s. should lift those and leave the decisions to ukraine? >> every country must have its own possibility to make those decisions. obviously, the more long-range weapons you deploy, the more reason you have to discuss that with that kind of weapons. but, principally, i think it is a bad idea to give restrictions on how somebody who is defending themselves dashed himself off is able to defend in the country that is attacking you. i think that most people realize that is a huge restriction. the aim is for ukraine to defend themselves and stop the attacks.

the most efficient ways of doing that should also be ukraine's own decision-making. >> president zelinski --zelensky said at this summer that the world is watching and waiting for november to see what happens in the u.s. presidential election. do you have concerns about what a second term of donald trump might need for nato, for the ukraine, for sweden? >> i think the world is watching. democracies work that way. democracy -- the world was watching the european union election end of the french elections as well because democracies, to some extent, are vulnerable. because, voters compare. there is also a question of transatlantic some -- transatlantism here.

i think there is huge reason for european nato countries to reale we have to increase our own capacity to defend europe, not because we want to do it with the u.s., but quite to the contrary, to prove to the u.s. we take responsibility for our security while we hope and expect for the u.s. to be committed to what is happening in europe. the long run we cannot tell or ask u.s. taxpayers to take responsibility for european security. >> the swedish prime minister speaking to me a little earlier. i spoke to the white house national security spokesman john kirby about the impact fresh military aid to kyiv will have. admiral john kirby thank you for joing us again. major steps announced by u.s. and nato allies at the summit

for ukraine. what difference would it make to ukrainian air defenses? >> we think it will make a significant difference. you are talking about five strategic air defense systems going to ukraine from us and from our allies. additional tactical air defense systems either already there or on the way as we speak. we think they will make a big difference. clearly, air defense, as president zelensky has rightly said is one of the most important needs in ukraine. we saw that for our own eyes over the weekend when the russians struck at children's hospital in downtown kyiv. we have to make sure they have these capabilities. they are on the way. >> president zelensky wants to be able to use foreign weapons in whatever way he decides to strike out fights inside russia. many countries have made donations without restrictions, but the u.s. has restrictions. would you be of the mind to remove all the restrictions from the weapons you are giving to

ukraine? >> these are conversations we continue to have with ukrainians. we have them every day and we will continuto have them at the nato summit. the president will meet with president zelensky tomorrow and no doubt, u.s. weapons will come up. we want to make sure we have what they need to defend themselves and their sovereign territory. president biden has, from the beginning of this conflict, made it clear we don't want an escalation of the conflict to become what putin has propagandized it to become of the west versus russia, nato versus russia. with russia as a nuclear power it would have catastrophic consequences around the world. we have to be mindful of that. with everything we are doing to support ukraine. >> ukraine would say it needs a strengthening of what it has in its arsenal and that means striking inside russia. >> we agree they need a strengthening of their arsenal and that is why we are sending additional air defense capabilities. that is why we will get f-16s

probably there by the end of the summer. that's why we are in constant communications with the ukrainians about the capabilities they require on the battlefield. it is an active battlefield. i have said from the beginning that we don't want to start world war iii here. i am not prejudging any policy decisions one way or the other. we will continue to have conversations with ukrainians, but there are larger, ined, potentially catastrophic consequences the president must be mindful of. >> the summit is discussing a coordination center that will be established in germany to coordinate logistics for ukraine. tell us how that will work. with the u.s. have a specific role in that? >> we are still working out the modalities of it. the main focus of this three-star staff will be to help with the training and force development for ukrainians. there will be coordination elements too. i want to stress that we are so grateful for poland for hosting

the coordination center just across the border. that effort will continue. >> we have heard from some european leaders there about preparations they are making should donald trump would be president next year. is this something nato as a whole is concerned about? about safeguarding provisions for ukraine beyond the reach of any leader of any member nation? >> have to be a little careful here, because i'm not allowed to talk about election politics in the u.s.. i would just tell you you are seeing 75 years of nato being celebrated here, but just as important is what the leaders are focusing on, the next 75 years, making sure the alliance stays as resilient, strong, and effeive as it has been over the course of its history. they are talking about shoring up the defense industrial base is in our country, burden sharing, and how the other countries that have not met the 2% duty pledge -- 2% of gdp pledge will be did or not meet

it. talking about nato deterrence capabilities. there's a lot on the agenda that will speak to the longevity and sustainability of the alliance well into the future. >> as the packed agenda continues questions in a circle about joe biden's suitability for a second term. you work closely with him. from your perspective, do you think he is capable, fit for office? >> yes, of course. >> john kirby from the white house. as president biden hosts the nato summit concerns over his reelection bid are also in the spotlight, as you have been hearing. wednesday hollywood star george clooney called on joe biden to step aside. the influential democratic party supported that helped raise millions of dollars for the reelection effort wrote a new york times op-ed entitled "i love joe biden, but we need a new nominee." wednesday former speaker of the house nancy pelosi declined it to directly endorse mr. biden's candidacy, defending the president's record on msnbc's morning joe program but said it was ultimately mr.

biden's dision whether to stay in the race. before we go, a shout out for the english football team that beat the netherlands 2-1 to secure a spot in the euro final. ali watkins scorned the leading role, breathtakingly, in the last minute of the match. both king charles and prince announcer: funding for presentation of this program is provided by... financial services firm, raymond james. announcer: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ announcer: "usa today" calls it, "arguably the best bargain in streaming." that's because the free pbs app lets you watch the best of pbs anytime, anywhere.

wow, you get to watch all your favorite stuff. it's to die for. now you won't miss a thing. this is the way. xfinity internet. made for streaming. amna: good evening. geoff: on the newshour tonight, more lawmakers and big-name donors call on president biden to exit the 2024 race as a new batch of polling raises questions about his ability to win critical swing states. amna: michigan governor gretchen whitmer