2024 election updates: 'I've gotta finish this job,' Biden says

"Now, the future of American policy is up to the American people," Biden said. "This is much more than a political question. It's more than that. It's a national security issue. Don't reduce this to the usual testament that people talk about, issues of being a political campaign."

"It is far too important," he continued. "It's about the world we live in for decades to come. Every American must ask himself or herself. Is the world safer with NATO? Are you safer? Is your family safer?"

With the NATO banner and American flags displayed behind him, Biden recounted this week's NATO summit in Washington and touted the strength of the alliance in the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

While he didn't use Donald Trump's name, he invoked him during the remarks.

"Meanwhile, my predecessor, has made it clear he has no commitment to NATO," Biden said. "He has made it clear that he would feel no obligation to honor Article Five. He's already told Putin, I quote, 'Do whatever the hell you want.'"

"In fact, the day after Putin invaded Ukraine, here's what he said: It was genius. It was wonderful. Some of you have forgotten that, but that's exactly what he said. Well, I made it clear, a strong nato is essential to American I believe the obligation of Article Five is sacred," Biden added.

Biden is at the podium to answer reporter questions in his first solo press conference since November 2023, a critical moment for him as he faces growing Democratic pressure to step aside from his campaign.

Biden, facing a political crisis as Democrats question the viability of his campaign, is minutes away from holding his first solo press conference of the year -- and since the debate two weeks ago.

It's an opportunity for Biden to change the narrative after his poor performance that night triggered a drumbeat of concerns in his own party that he might be too weakened to win against Donald Trump this November.

But any stumbles in the unscripted setting will only add fuel to the fire, despite Biden's repeated attempts to rebuff his critics and his insistence that he is staying in the race.