Biden, Scholz discuss increased Ukraine aid

October 18, 2024

By Ukraine

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US President Joe Biden met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on 18 October, pledging continued support for Ukraine amid concerns over Trump’s possible return in the US election less than three weeks away, Politico reports.

The meeting comes at a critical time for Ukraine, with Russian forces making advances in the country’s east and uncertainties surrounding future US support should Donald Trump win the upcoming election. Recent comments by Trump, echoing views similar to those of Russian President Vladimir Putin, have exacerbated European concerns.

According to the White House’s readout, Biden and Scholz “coordinated on support for Ukraine in its self-defense against Russian aggression,” among “other issues.”

Politico says, during the meeting at the German chancellery, both leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining support for Ukraine. Biden stated,

“We must sustain our resolve, our effort and our support,” acknowledging the high costs but stressing that they “pale in comparison to the cost of living in the world where aggression prevails.”

The leaders discussed plans to increase military aid to Ukraine, with Biden mentioning efforts “to surge support to Ukraine’s military.” They also addressed the need to shore up Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and help the country recover by “unlocking the value” of frozen Russian assets.

Chancellor Scholz praised the close transatlantic coordination since the beginning of the war, stating,

“That has made us strong. That has made the alliance strong,” the German leader said, but also emphasized the need to prevent NATO from becoming directly involved in the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Scholz hinted at the delicate balance he and Biden have maintained throughout the war, offering military aid to Ukraine without escalating the conflict, as per Politico.

A “quad meeting” involving French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was scheduled to follow, focusing on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. The four-way meeting was originally scheduled for 12 October, but Biden postponed his visit to Germany due to domestic issues, as a second consecutive hurricane struck Florida.

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