U.S. President Joe Biden is set to make a pivotal visit to Berlin on Friday, aiming to solidify cooperation with key European partners on major geopolitical issues such as the war in Ukraine and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Biden, who sought to restore and strengthen U.S.-European relations after Donald Trump’s presidency, will be received with military honours and awarded Germany’s highest order of merit by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in recognition of his five-decade commitment to transatlantic relations.
The brief trip comes just weeks before the U.S. presidential election, where Republican nominee Trump is running in a tight race against Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate. Biden, who dropped out of the race in favor of Harris in July, will hold key discussions with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to address a range of security, trade, and economic concerns. The trip, seen by many as Biden’s swansong visit to Europe as president, is expected to emphasize the enduring strength of U.S.-Germany relations.
Later in the day, Biden will be joined by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron for talks in Berlin. The discussions are set to focus primarily on Ukraine, as Moscow’s forces make gains in the east and Europe braces for a difficult winter with looming power shortages. “The key question is the nature of security guarantees, and that’s what we will talk about tomorrow,” Macron told reporters, underscoring the urgency of the meeting.
As the U.S. election nears, concerns about future support for Ukraine have grown. Trump has signaled a more cautious approach to backing Kyiv, raising concerns among European leaders about the continuity of U.S. military and financial aid. Biden’s trip to Berlin serves as a reminder of the close alignment between the U.S. and Germany on supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression.
Biden’s decision to make Berlin his final European stop reflects the close working relationship he has built with Chancellor Scholz. Throughout his term, Biden made a strategic bet on Germany, choosing not to aggressively oppose the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline early on. This approach ultimately paid off, as Germany reduced its dependency on Russian gas, increased defense spending to meet NATO’s 2% target, and cooperated closely with the U.S. on supporting Ukraine following Russia’s invasion.
In addition to bolstering military and economic support, Germany played a crucial role in orchestrating a significant prisoner exchange in August between Russia and the West. The swap led to the release of U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich and ex-Marine Paul Whelan from Russian detention, further solidifying Germany’s importance as a diplomatic partner.
Biden’s visit also carries a broader message to his European allies: a plea to remain steadfast in their support for Ukraine, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming U.S. election. “It’s a thank-you tour but it’s also a message to say, ‘please stay the course on Ukraine no matter what happens,’” said Sudha David-Wilp of the German Marshall Fund of the United States.
This visit to Berlin is not only a diplomatic gesture but also a final push to ensure that European support for Ukraine remains firm, even as political dynamics shift in the U.S.
