U.S. President Joe Biden is set to depart for Berlin on Thursday for a brief yet significant visit with the leaders of Germany, France, and Britain. The focus of these discussions will be Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and the urgent need to end the fighting, as Kyiv presses its western allies for decisive action. The trip comes at a critical juncture as Biden aims to bolster European support for Ukraine amid escalating tensions in both Ukraine and the Middle East.
In addition to Ukraine, the growing conflict in the Middle East is expected to dominate the talks between the leaders. Diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting have so far failed, and with tensions rising, the Middle East crisis has become an equally pressing issue on the international stage. Biden’s visit, which was originally scheduled as a broader meeting at the U.S. Ramstein airbase in Germany, had been postponed due to Hurricane Milton. However, this quick trip to Berlin is meant to make up for the missed opportunity.
Biden’s schedule includes bilateral talks with Germany’s president and chancellor on Friday morning, followed by a meeting with the European quad in the afternoon. The visit also serves as a nod to Biden’s close working relationship with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. This partnership has been pivotal in coordinating Western support for Ukraine, and the visit is seen as a show of solidarity before Biden leaves office in January.
The trip comes on the heels of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s recent tour of Western capitals, during which he presented his “victory plan” aimed at ending Russia’s more than two-and-a-half-year-long invasion. With Moscow’s forces continuing their advances in eastern Ukraine and the prospect of a harsh winter ahead, Biden’s visit is seen as a crucial moment to discuss how Western allies can continue supporting Ukraine’s defense and humanitarian needs.
A senior U.S. official underscored that the trajectory of the war and Ukraine’s battlefield situation will be key topics in the talks. Biden’s administration is eager to ensure continued support for Ukraine, especially as next month’s U.S. presidential election looms. The outcome of the election could greatly influence U.S. foreign policy on the war, with uncertainty surrounding how both Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump would handle the conflict.
German Chancellor Scholz echoed the importance of continued support for Ukraine during a parliamentary address on Wednesday. He reaffirmed that both Germany and the United States are Ukraine’s biggest defenders and emphasized the need to not only provide military aid but to seek pathways for ending the war. Scholz stressed the importance of finding a solution that does not allow the conflict to drag on indefinitely, as the war has already claimed countless lives.
President Zelenskiy’s plan includes a critical component: an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO. While there is discussion among NATO allies about extending such an offer, there is no consensus at present. A senior U.S. official confirmed that while Ukraine’s path to membership is “irreversible,” the tactics of how to encourage this process remain under debate.
The conflict in the Middle East will also be a significant topic of discussion during Biden’s Berlin visit. There are growing fears that the fighting between Israel and Hamas could escalate into a full-scale regional war, particularly with Iran’s involvement. Both the U.S. and Germany, strong allies of Israel, are increasingly concerned about the potential for broader destabilization in the region.
German Chancellor Scholz issued a stern warning to Iran on Wednesday, cautioning the regime against attacking Israel with missiles and further destabilizing the Middle East. “Iran is playing with fire,” Scholz said, calling for an immediate halt to Iran’s aggressive actions. Biden’s discussions with European leaders will likely focus on how to contain the conflict and prevent it from spiraling into a larger regional war.
