Biden says Western allies must keep aiding Ukraine as he meets European leaders

Posted by Admin October 18, 2024 World

US President Joe Biden said it was important for Ukraine’s Western allies to “sustain our resolve” in supporting the country as he held meetings Friday with European partners, with the coming US presidential election casting a long shadow over his visit to Germany.

Biden met Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, Ukraine’s second-biggest military supplier after the US. They were joined by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for discussions that were also addressing the conflict in the Middle East.

With the election just weeks away and the race extremely tight, there are worries that a victory for Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, could upset the relationships that Biden is hoping to pass on to Vice-President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee.

Trump has an appetite for imposing trade tariffs on key US security partners. He has expressed indifference to the security of Ukraine, refusing to say during a presidential debate if he wants the US ally to win its war against Russia. He’s voiced doubts about coming to the defence of Nato members if they come under attack.

(From left) British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in front of the Reichstag Building in Berlin. Photo: EPA-EFE

The gathered leaders never uttered Trump’s name in public, yet their remarks often hinted at the possibility that he could withdraw support from Ukraine and scorn global alliances that Biden and his counterparts view as critical.