In a poignant farewell visit to Germany, US President Joe Biden has called on NATO allies to maintain their robust support for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia, all while the clock ticks down to the upcoming US elections.
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As Ukraine braces for yet another winter marred by war—a grueling reality coupled with mounting losses in the east—there’s palpable unease among Kyiv and its partners. There’s a growing concern that a potential return of Donald Trump to the White House could lead to a significant dip in American military assistance for Ukraine.
Biden emphasized the necessity for Western nations to “continue our support… until Ukraine achieves a fair and lasting peace.” He elaborated, “Winter is going to be exceedingly tough. We cannot afford to ease off.”
Reports indicate that 1,500 special forces are currently undergoing intensive training in eastern Russia, adding another layer of intrigue and concern to the conflict.
During his brief yet impactful stop, President Biden held discussions with Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Shortly after, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined them at the chancellery for a quartet of diplomatic talks.
Just yesterday, President Volodymyr Zelensky unveiled his ambitious “victory plan” to representatives of the European Union and NATO. However, his appeal for immediate NATO membership has not garnered the consensus he hoped for from allied nations.
Moreover, both Washington and London have denied Ukrainian requests for permission to deploy long-range weapons against targets within Russia. Germany, too, has opted not to provide its own long-range Taurus missile system, a decision that has drawn scrutiny.
“We are providing Ukraine with the most robust support we can muster,” noted Chancellor Scholz. He further added, “We must also ensure NATO does not get embroiled in the conflict, preventing this war from escalating into something even more catastrophic.”
During this pivotal meeting in Berlin, Biden, Scholz, Macron, and Starmer held discussions that touched upon a wide array of topics surrounding the ongoing crisis.
Since Russia’s incursion in 2022, the United States has far outpaced all other nations in providing military aid to Ukraine, with Germany following closely behind in terms of support.
During his visit, President Biden was greeted with a warm welcome by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who honored him with Germany’s highest accolade in recognition of his steadfast commitment to both bilateral and transatlantic relations.
Steinmeier hailed Biden, 81, as “a beacon of democracy,” commending his unwavering dedication to NATO and Ukraine during these perilous times reminiscent of the Cold War.
As the race for the November 5 election intensifies, the shadows of potential political shifts loom large. Allies are apprehensively eyeing the prospect of a possible Trump return, which could drastically alter the current dynamics regarding support for Ukraine.
Trump, during his previous presidency, regularly lambasted NATO partners and expressed skepticism over the extent of American military backing for Ukraine. Analysts anticipate that he might also take a more lenient stance towards US criticism aimed at Israel amid the escalating conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.
Reflecting on the evolution of US-Germany relations, Steinmeier remarked that only a few years prior, “the gap had grown so wide we nearly lost connection.” He credited Biden with restoring “Europe’s hope in the transatlantic alliance almost instantaneously” following his election.
Initially, Biden planned for an extensive visit to Germany that would last four days and include a significant summit focused on Ukraine’s defense alongside Zelensky. However, due to coordination efforts related to Hurricane Milton, he had to scale back his agenda, ultimately compressing it into a single-day visit.
Among the dignitaries Biden met was 102-year-old Holocaust survivor Margot Friedlaender, whose life journey has taken her from Berlin to Theresienstadt concentration camp and finally to the United States before her emotional return to her hometown in 2010.
With visible emotion, Biden expressed his feelings by saying, “I’m truly honored to be in your presence,” while beginning his address to Friedlaender.
Later, while conversing with Scholz, Biden commended Germany for its resilience in combating the alarming resurgence of anti-Semitism, extremism, and hatred, referring to it as “the old specter in fresh attire.”
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
