Janice R. Andrews
October 18, BERLIN (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden urged Western countries to continue supporting Ukraine in its efforts to overcome the obstacles provided by Russia’s continued invasion in a crucial speech on Friday. Concerns about the US commitment to Ukraine are growing as winter draws near and the US presidential election is only a few weeks away.
Prior to a private discussion with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during a momentous one-day visit to Berlin, Biden made his statements. The two leaders talked about a range of urgent matters, including military support for Ukraine and the worsening situation in the Middle East. “We must, we must sustain our resolve as Ukraine faces a tough winter,” Biden said, highlighting the significance of ongoing assistance despite the high expenses involved. He emphasized that if we did not stand behind Ukraine, the fallout would be even worse and the globe would become a place where bigger countries could easily intimidate smaller ones without facing any consequences.
Biden and Scholz were supposed to discuss ways to use frozen Russian assets to improve Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure and strengthen its military capabilities during the negotiations. The conversations took place at a moment when polls are placing Republican contender and former president Donald Trump in close proximity to Vice President Kamala Harris, casting doubt on Biden’s electoral future.
With his skepticism about continued aid to Ukraine, Trump has hinted at a possible change in U.S. foreign policy that may reduce Kyiv’s main military and financial backing. Additionally, he has hinted that future US assistance to NATO partners may be subject to certain requirements.
At a ceremony when Biden was given the highest honor in Germany, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany spoke about the tense ties that existed between the U.S. and Europe under President Trump and said that Biden’s victory had given the transatlantic partnership new life.Biden and Scholz were to be joined by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for talks centered on maintaining peace in Ukraine in the face of Russian militaryadvances.
The strengthening of ties between the United States and Germany since the start of the war in Ukraine is highlighted by Biden’s visit, especially with regard to defense spending and military cooperation. He reaffirmed Germany’s vital role in NATO defense spending, referring to it as the United States’ “closest and most important ally.”
