Washington
CNN
—
President Joe Biden awarded NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg America's highest civilian honor on Tuesday night during a speech marking NATO's 75th anniversary, and presented the Norwegian diplomat with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in a surprise ceremony that kicked off this week's NATO summit.
“Much of the progress our alliance has made is thanks to our Secretary of State. He is a consummate diplomat with integrity, intellectual rigor and calm in moments of crisis who works with leaders across the political spectrum and always finds a way forward,” Biden said.
Biden last year asked Stoltenberg to extend his term as NATO secretary-general for another year, citing Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. Stoltenberg is a former Norwegian prime minister who has served as secretary-general since 2014. Former Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte was formally selected as the next NATO secretary-general in late June and is due to take up his post on October 1.
“Your wife and I have spoken and I have personally asked you to extend your service, but I'm sorry, I put your own plans on hold. When Russia's war in Ukraine began, you did not hesitate,” Biden told Stoltenberg on Tuesday. “Today, NATO is stronger, wiser and more vital than when you started it, and a billion people in Europe and North America – no, all over the world – will benefit from your work for years to come.”
Biden, who received the medal while serving as vice president under former President Barack Obama, recently awarded the Medal of Freedom to 19 Americans for decades of distinguished service in sports, politics and the civil rights movement.
Biden gave the medal to Stoltenberg, who was the center of attention during the summit's opening speech, during which he announced that NATO would donate new air defense systems to Ukraine.
In his own remarks before the event, Stoltenberg called on allies to continue supporting Ukraine.
“Our alliance was forged by men who lived through two devastating world wars,” Stoltenberg said, “who knew only too well the horror, suffering and terrible human cost of war.”
“Russia's war against Ukraine is the greatest security crisis in generations,” he said. “Ukraine has shown incredible courage, and our NATO allies have offered unprecedented support.”
“The reality is, when you have an aggressive neighbor, there are no cost-free options. There are no risk-free options in war,” he said. “Remember, the biggest cost and the biggest risk is for Russia to win in Ukraine. We can't allow that.”
The decision for President Biden to present the honor was not included in the announced program, but the president appeared to misread stage directions from his prepared speech.
“Ask the military,” Biden said, before correcting himself: “Military members, please come forward. Read your commendation.”
Biden is scheduled to hold a solo news conference as part of a NATO summit on Thursday.
This story has been updated with additional details.
CNN's Mitchell McCluskey contributed to this report.
