US President Joe Biden left Berlin a little while ago, completing his first bilateral visit to Germany.
The visit, although downgraded from an “official state” to a “working” visit due to its short duration, took place in an excellent atmosphere, confirming the “close and trust-filled” relationship between the two countries. The visit was originally scheduled to take place from October 10 to 13, but was postponed due to Hurricane Milton hitting Florida.
The developments in Ukraine and the Middle East were at the top of the agenda of the talks, both bilaterally and in the quadripartite format, with the participation of French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. During the joint statements, first with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and then with Chancellor Olaf Solz, mutual appreciation for the joint course in support of Ukraine was highlighted. With an eye on the presidential elections in November, Mr. Steinmeier declared that the support will continue, “no matter what,” while Mr. Soltz spoke of continuing to provide assistance, “as long as necessary.”
Referring to the situation in the Middle East, the chancellor and the US president agreed that the death of Hamas leader Gahia Sinwar is an “opportunity” towards a ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas. Mr. Biden spoke of a “moment of justice” and added that Hamas has the blood of Israelis, Palestinians, Germans and Americans on its hands.
The US president today repeatedly thanked Olaf Scholz for his stance in Ukraine, for the fight against anti-Semitism, but also for Berlin’s crucial help in the exchange of prisoners between Russia and the West, when the Kremlin was urging him to included Vadim Krazikov, a Russian agent who was sentenced to life in prison for killing a former Chechen fighter in Berlin in 2019. “It was an act of friendship. Thank you, thank you, thank you,” said Mr. Biden.
The US president was today awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit, the highest honor of the Federal Republic of Germany.
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