President Joe Biden begins a 5-day swing through Europe with a focus on NATO gathering later this week in Lithuania, as allied countries look to boost support for Ukraine and the possibility of Sweden’s approval to join the military alliance.

“We’re looking forward to a busy week in Europe. And we’re looking forward to the president being able to further solidify, strengthen and give momentum to the strong united alliance that has been standing up so effectively against Russian aggression.

“The president begins his trip in London, he will meet with King Charles at Windsor Castle and engage with a forum that will focus on mobilizing climate finance especially bringing private finance off the sidelines for clean energy deployment and adaptation in developing countries. Joe Biden is also expected to meet with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

From London, the President heads to Vilnius, Lithuania, to attend the 74th NATO summit.

Ukraine will not be joining NATO coming out of this summit, there will be discussion of what steps are necessary as it continues along its path. Vilnius will be an important moment on that pathway towards membership because the United States, our NATO allies and Ukraine will have the opportunity discuss the reforms that are still necessary for Ukraine to come up to NATO standards. So, this will, in fact, be a milestone. But Ukraine still has further steps it needs to take before membership in NATO”, - said White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.