U.S. President Joe Biden’s state visit to Germany on Friday was extremely brief.
But the US president used every minute in Berlin to try to show that he still has high ambitions on the world stage, in his final weeks before leaving office in January. Especially in the Middle East and Ukraine.
European defense has been a cornerstone of Biden’s foreign policy, in stark contrast to his predecessor, Donald Trump, now expected to become president in 2024.
In recognition of his efforts, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier awarded Biden Germany’s highest honor, the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit.
The conflict in Ukraine is the worst war the continent has seen since World War II, since Russia’s full-scale invasion.
As it did 80 years ago, Europe continues to look to the United States for coordinating leadership and military support.
But Biden insisted there was more work to be done: “We must keep moving forward until Ukraine wins a just and lasting peace… We must maintain our support.”
Much will depend on who wins the US election in November.
Europe has relied on U.S. military aid to help Ukraine. Berlin is the second-largest donor after Washington, but its amounts pale in comparison with its allies across the Atlantic.
Once Biden leaves the White House, the days of American generosity are expected to be over.
Even if Democratic candidate Kamala Harris becomes the next U.S. president, it is thought that Congress may turn to other foreign policy priorities, such as China and Taiwan.
As for Trump, his relationship with NATO, the transatlantic military alliance established since World War II, was notoriously tumultuous during his time in office from 2016 to 2020.
He is known for his admiration for “strongman” Russian President Vladimir Putin, but has yet to say publicly whether he wants Kyiv to emerge victorious from the conflict.
Although there is much talk within NATO about a “Trump-proof” European defense ahead of the upcoming US election, there is little sign that this has actually happened, or that Europe can successfully “go it alone” if necessary. fight”.
After a full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz promises a ‘turning point’, It was a turning point in history that would see his country emerge from the shadow of its Nazi past and invest massively in its military to fully contribute to the common defense of its allies.
This week, Germany’s intelligence chief warned that Russia’s continued investment in its military would give it the ability to attack NATO by the end of the century.
But Germany’s planned military reforms are bogged down by bureaucracy. The government has not even reached an agreement on a future defense budget.
Diplomats say Biden is worried about Europe’s resolve, with signs of “Ukraine fatigue” spreading as European allies grapple with domestic challenges.
Scholz is under considerable pressure at home Ahead of next year’s election, people from both the far right and the far left are sympathetic to the Russian narrative.
On Friday, Scholz and Biden met in Berlin with major donors to Ukraine, including Britain and France.
The “Quad” of four NATO powers also discussed Iran and the wider Middle East. Regarding Ukraine, their joint press statement reiterated their determination to continue supporting Kyiv.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Russia was weakening and the war was consuming 40% of Moscow’s budget.
He said he and other leaders discussed “further capabilities, further equipment and further resources” they could help Ukraine. But he gave no specific details.
However, this is exactly the specific detail that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded in his speech. “Victory Plan”. Details include a formal invitation to join NATO and free use of long-range missiles provided by Britain and France. The request has so far been denied.
Critics of Joe Biden and his NATO allies accuse them of delaying for fear of escalating the conflict with Russia.
Kiev and Moscow will pay close attention to Biden’s “farewell trip” to Berlin this Friday.
They will hear repeated pledges from the four NATO nations of continued, unwavering support for Ukraine, but they will also see an outgoing U.S. president, a German chancellor who is expected to lose his country’s election, and a man who is about to step down. President of the United States. Trapped in domestic politics.
For Ukraine, additional aid from its biggest backer can’t come soon enough. The country is at a particularly vulnerable moment in its frontline confrontation with Russia. The same goes for other countries in Europe.