Biden Heads to Germany for Talks on Ukraine and Democracy

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Biden Germany trip/ Biden-Scholz meeting/ U.S.-Germany relations/ Biden Ukraine support/ Biden/ Scholz/ Germany/ Ukraine/ European Quad/ NATO/ Russia/ democracy/ U.S. election/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Joe Biden will travel briefly to Berlin on Friday for meetings with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other European leaders. The visit focuses on supporting Ukraine, democratic values, and addressing potential global security challenges. Biden’s trip also underscores the close U.S.-Germany relationship amid ongoing tensions with Russia.

FILE – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, front right, and U.S. President Joe Biden, front left, speak to each other at Castle Elmau in Kruen, Germany, Sunday, June 26, 2022. As chances rise of a Biden-Donald Trump rematch in the U.S. presidential election race, America’s allies are bracing for a bumpy ride. Scholz has said he is “currently on the phone a lot with my colleagues and asking them to do more” to support Ukraine amid concerns U.S. support could falter. (Jonathan Ernst/Pool Photo via AP, File)

Biden and Scholz Meet in Berlin to Discuss Ukraine, Security – Quick Looks

Focus of the Visit: President Biden’s Berlin trip centers on coordinating Ukraine support, EU relations, and global security.
Meetings with Allies: Biden will meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the “European Quad,” including France’s Macron and UK’s Starmer.
Strong U.S.-German Relations: Biden and Scholz share a close relationship, with Scholz aiding in key diplomatic matters this year.
Election Considerations: With the U.S. election weeks away, Biden’s visit preps allies for potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy.

Biden Heads to Germany for Talks on Ukraine and Democracy

Deep Look

President Joe Biden is set to make a brief but impactful visit to Berlin on Friday to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and leaders from other major European nations. The discussions will primarily focus on continued support for Ukraine and strategies to uphold democratic values, as Biden’s time in office nears its end and U.S. leadership faces the prospect of change. Biden’s agenda will include bilateral meetings with Scholz and the “European Quad,” a coalition of transatlantic leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Biden’s commitment to Ukraine remains steadfast, and he aims to solidify this support with Germany and other allies in light of recent U.S. military aid totaling $425 million. This new package brings U.S. support to Ukraine to over $64 billion since the conflict escalated in early 2022. According to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, Biden’s relationship with Scholz has been integral to coordinating Ukraine support, with Scholz playing a major role in diplomacy, including a recent high-profile prisoner exchange that facilitated the return of American prisoners held overseas.

During the Berlin visit, Biden will extend his appreciation to Scholz for Germany’s aid and military support for Ukraine. Jean-Pierre emphasized the U.S. commitment to working alongside European allies, stating, “The president really wanted to make sure to go to Germany to thank Chancellor Scholz directly.” The visit also follows Biden’s delayed trip to Germany earlier this month due to Hurricane Milton, during which he was slated to visit Angola, a trip now rescheduled for December.

In Berlin, Biden and Scholz are expected to address pressing issues such as trade and technology partnerships, European Union relations, global supply chains, and regional security matters in the Indo-Pacific. Additionally, they will discuss the escalating conflict in the Middle East, assessing its impact on global security.

Notably absent from Biden’s European itinerary is a planned meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, though the two leaders spoke by phone on Wednesday. Despite not meeting in person, Biden reiterated U.S. support for Ukraine as it defends against Russian aggression. Analysts believe that Biden’s Berlin discussions will also prepare European allies for the possible return of former President Donald Trump to the White House, a prospect that has sparked apprehension among U.S. allies. Trump has previously questioned America’s obligations to NATO allies and proposed tariffs on imports from U.S. allies, causing strain in transatlantic relations.

In recent comments, Biden emphasized the importance of a unified NATO, countering Trump’s assertion that U.S. allies have “taken advantage” of American support. “The whole world heard it,” Biden said earlier this year. “And the worst part is he means it.” In light of these considerations, Biden’s Berlin visit may address strategies for maintaining NATO solidarity amid potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy.

Trump has voiced a willingness to maintain ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a position in stark contrast to Biden’s firm stance against Russian aggression. As reported in journalist Bob Woodward’s book War, Trump has had multiple discussions with Putin since 2020, an arrangement that Trump recently defended as beneficial for diplomatic relations. However, Biden’s foreign policy approach is based on reinforcing strong alliances, a stance he seeks to affirm in his talks with European leaders.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for the upcoming election, is engaging in a busy campaign schedule to encourage voter turnout. The election, pivotal for U.S. foreign policy and Biden’s legacy, reflects Biden’s ongoing efforts to reinforce NATO and establish alliances in Asia to counterbalance China’s growing influence.

As Biden’s visit to Berlin underscores U.S. commitment to Ukraine and NATO, the outcome of his meetings with Scholz and other European leaders will likely set the tone for U.S.-European relations as global powers prepare for potential shifts in U.S. leadership.