NATO leaders meeting in Washington starting Tuesday intend to bolster transatlantic support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia. But for the host, U.S. President Joe Biden, the summit has become about demonstrating his ability to meet urgent presidential requirements for another four years.

European and North American leaders face the prospect of Donald Trump, one of NATO's skeptics, returning to power as Biden seeks to salvage his re-election campaign, which has been in chaos after his disastrous debate performance against Trump on June 27.

The president has stated that his work during the summit, where NATO celebrates its 75th anniversary, will be a good way to gauge his ongoing ability to fulfill this mission. He points to his efforts in rallying NATO members in a strong response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a prime example of his steady leadership and among the reasons he deserves another four years in the White House.

Biden clarified in an interview with MSNBC on Monday: “Our allies are looking to American leadership.” “Who do you think can step in here and do that? I expanded NATO. I strengthened NATO. I made sure we are in a position where we have an alliance of... countries around the world to deal with China and Russia and everything that is happening in the world. We are making real progress.”

Biden is waging a blitz campaign to convince voters, Democrats, and donors that he is still up to the task. He has been making his case throughout the campaign, in a defiant message to Democratic lawmakers and during friendly media interviews over the past few days. However, he is facing doubts from some old allies.

Six Democratic House members have publicly called for Biden to abandon his campaign, while other lawmakers have urged him in private talks to step aside, and several prominent donors have raised concerns about his ability to remain in the race.

The White House hopes to demonstrate to wavering Democrats that Biden still has what it takes during what is expected to be a few busy days of official summit meetings, side talks with leaders, lengthy diplomatic dinners and receptions, and a concluding press conference at the end of the summit.

Many senior administration officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal conversations, say the president shows a strong understanding of the broader issues—the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the threat posed by China—but concerning specific and incremental actions that countries or groups might take in relation to these conflicts, Biden appeared at worst confused or seemed not to have a good understanding of how to handle them.

However, officials say there is not—at least for now—a crisis of confidence regarding Biden's general mental state.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told reporters on Tuesday before leaving Berlin for the summit that he had no concerns about Biden's health. Scholz stated, “Through the numerous conversations I have had with the American president, I know he has prepared for this summit very well and is very precise with us.”

The summit will provide Biden his first opportunity for a face-to-face meeting with newly elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Biden called Starmer last week to congratulate him on his victory and intends to host him on Wednesday for talks at the White House.

The Labour Party leader had no concerns about Biden's mental health during their phone call, according to a spokesperson for the Prime Minister who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private conversation.

The gathering of NATO's 32 leaders—along with Pacific partners Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Ukraine—is expected to be one of Biden's last appearances on the international stage before Election Day, coming ahead of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Biden has sought to emphasize his commitment to the alliance while explaining to voters that Trump would turn his back on NATO if he returned to the White House.

Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO members for failing to meet the agreed-upon target of spending at least 2 percent of GDP on defense spending. European anxiety escalated in February when Trump warned NATO allies in a campaign speech that he would "encourage" Russia "to do whatever they want" to countries that do not meet defense spending goals if he returned to the White House.

Trump has criticized Biden for providing "an endless flow of American treasure" to Ukraine. The Republican has recently expressed openness to lending money instead, stating that Ukraine's independence is important to the United States.

However, Biden's aides dismissed that, pointing to NATO's announcement last month that 23 of the 32 member countries would meet the alliance's defense spending goal this year. Nine member countries had met that goal when Biden took office in 2021.

Biden has also been credited with expanding NATO. Finland and Sweden joined following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, “This is not by accident, but due to leadership. It’s because of the continuous management of alliances and other partnerships around the world. The president’s record speaks for itself.”

NATO is expected to announce details of Ukraine's pathway to join the alliance during the summit. NATO, built on the foundational agreement that an attack on one member is an attack on all members, has made clear it will not admit Ukraine to the alliance until after the conflict with Russia has concluded.

Kirby stated that leaders will also discuss efforts to establish a coordination center in Germany to help train, equip, and coordinate logistics for Ukrainian forces in anticipation of their eventual membership in NATO.

Kirby added that the United States and its allies intend to unveil steps during the summit to bolster Ukraine's air defenses and military capabilities to help deter Russian aggression.

Ian Brzezinski, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council in Washington, said Biden needs to use the summit “to significantly reverse the impression” he left due to his poor debate performance.

"It’s a tremendous opportunity for him to lead with strength and energy, to reaffirm his commitment, the administration’s commitment, and in this regard, Congress’s commitment to the alliance, and to affirm that he is bringing to the table the determination that has made NATO so successful."