President Biden skipped the NATO management summit’s opening dinner late Tuesday in Lithuania and headed straight for his lodge, with White House staffers citing the president’s busy schedule for his absence.

A U.S. official mentioned Mr. Biden “has four full days of official business and is preparing for a big speech tomorrow in addition to another day at the summit.”

Secretary of State Antony Blinken took Mr. Biden’s place on the dinner. The occasion introduced collectively the leaders of all 31 NATO member nations, though it was not clear if Mr. Biden was the one head of state to overlook the occasion, which additionally was attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The missed meal marks the third time Mr. Biden, 80, has skipped a world chief dinner throughout a global journey. He skipped dinner with leaders in Indonesia final 12 months and once more in Japan in May.

Despite issues about his age, well being and workload, Mr. Biden bragged to Turkish President Recep Erdogan that he would win reelection in 2024 and the 2 leaders can be working collectively for the following 5 years.

Mr. Biden can be 86 by the tip of a second time period if he's reelected in 2024.

Although the White House cited Mr. Biden’s workload as the rationale for the snub, the president spent Saturday on the seaside close to his trip house in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

On Tuesday, Mr. Biden met with the presidents of Lithuania and Turkey and NATO’s secretary basic, and attended the primary day of the assembly.

He is scheduled to fulfill Wednesday with Mr. Zelenskyy earlier than delivering an deal with at Vilnius University after which flying to Finland.

Content Source: www.washingtontimes.com