US President Joe Biden has called on NATO allies to continue supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia during his farewell visit to Germany, just weeks ahead of the US elections.
As Ukraine braces for a third winter at war and deals with losses in the eastern front, Kyiv and its partners worry that a potential return of Donald Trump to the presidency could lead to decreased US military assistance.
Mr. Biden emphasized that Western allies must “maintain our support… until Ukraine achieves a just and sustainable peace.”
“We’re entering a very challenging winter. We must not relent.”
It was reported that 1,500 special forces are currently in eastern Russia undergoing training.
During his one-day visit, Mr. Biden met Chancellor Olaf Scholz, followed by discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who joined the chancellery for a four-way dialogue.
Yesterday, President Volodymyr Zelensky unveiled his “victory plan” to the European Union and NATO; however, his allies have not consented to his request for immediate NATO membership.
Washington and London have also declined Ukrainian requests for approval to use supplied long-range weaponry against targets within Russia. Berlin has rejected requests to send its long-range Taurus missile system.
“We are supporting Ukraine as robustly as we can,” stated Mr. Scholz.
“At the same time, we are ensuring that NATO does not become involved in the conflict, so that this war does not escalate into a larger catastrophe.”
Keir Starmer, Joe Biden, Olaf Scholz, and Emmanuel Macron met at the Chancellery in Berlin for discussions.
The United States remains the largest provider of military assistance to Ukraine since Russia initiated its invasion in 2022, with Germany being the second largest contributor.
Mr. Biden was received with a red-carpet welcome by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who honored him with Germany’s highest distinction for promoting bilateral and transatlantic relations.
The German leader recognized the 81-year-old Biden as “a beacon of democracy” who has demonstrated steadfast support for NATO and Ukraine “during our most perilous moment since the Cold War.”
US election on the horizon
Mr. Biden’s visit occurs amid the intensifying campaign leading up to the 5 November election, as allies anxiously consider the possibility of a Trump victory over Kamala Harris.
During his previous term, Mr. Trump criticized NATO allies and was against the current level of US military aid to Ukraine, suggesting he would likely soften US criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and Lebanon.
Mr. Steinmeier remarked that just a few years ago, the US-Germany relationship had drifted so far apart that they were on the verge of losing each other.
“When you were elected president, you restored Europe’s hope in the transatlantic alliance literally overnight,” Mr. Steinmeier said, before presenting him with the Grand Cross special class of the Order of Merit.
Initially, Mr. Biden was scheduled to visit Germany last week for a four-day state visit, which would have included a significant meeting on Ukraine’s defense with Mr. Zelensky.
He canceled the trip to coordinate the response to Hurricane Milton but made a point to conduct this farewell visit to Germany, albeit with a condensed itinerary fit into one day.
Among those Mr. Biden met in Berlin was 102-year-old Holocaust survivor Margot Friedlaender, who grew up in Berlin, was imprisoned in the Theresienstadt concentration camp, emigrated to the US, and returned to her hometown in 2010.
“I’m truly honored to be in your presence,” an emotional Biden shared with her at the start of his remarks.
In a conversation later with Mr. Scholz, Mr. Biden commended Germany for “standing firm against the alarming rise of anti-Semitism, hatred, and extremism we are currently witnessing,” characterizing it as “the old ghost in new garments.”
