President Biden is likely to receive a warm welcome from European leaders when he arrives in the United Kingdom on Wednesday to begin a seven-day trip to three countries, and it’s no secret why. He doesn’t consider NATO “obsolete.” Nor does he publicly berate allied leaders, while embracing Russian President Vladimir Putin, perhaps the biggest threat to European stability. Yet NATO and EU officials continue to encourage the U.S. to play a leading role, especially given the threat an emboldened Putin poses to Eastern Europe. Following nearly a week of diplomacy affirming U.S. alliances, Biden will arrive “with the wind at his back,” said Sullivan, his national security advisor. “Biden has made clear very early that there’s a new sheriff in town,” Vershbow said.

Source: Los Angeles Times June 09, 2021 10:02 UTC