Biden visits Germany today for talks on Ukraine, Middle East

Kiev is urging its Western allies to take urgent steps to end the war.

The expanded conflict in the Middle East is also expected to be high on the agenda of talks among leaders.

Beden initially planned to hold a larger meeting with Ukrainian military supporters at the US air base in Germany, Ramstein, last week during a previous three-day visit. But he canceled that visit to deal with the effects of Hurricane Milton.

Now, the American president will pay a quick visit. He is expected to arrive in Germany late Thursday and meet with Germany's president and Chancellor Friday morning, before meeting with the European quarter afternoon.

He is making that visit in a week when Ukraine's president, Voldymyr Zelensky, visited Western countries to present the “victory plan” to end the full occupation by Russia, which began in February 2022.

“Situata on the battlefield in Ukraine, war trajectory and how allies can best support Ukraine, will be the topic of discussion”, said a senior American administration official prior to Biden's visit regarding the meeting with European leaders.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Wednesday in the German Parliament that the US and Germany will not stop helping Ukraine.

“Germania and the United States are Ukraine's biggest supporters in protecting its sovereignty and integrity, as well as its democracy. And, we're going to continue to be this”, Scholz said.

But this is a time when, in addition to our clear support for Ukraine, we have to do everything we can to understand how we can make sure this war doesn't go on forever, so that it doesn't continue to kill an incredible number of women and boys”, he added.

Zelensky says his plan, which would include unconditional invitation to Ukraine to join NATO now aims to force the Kremlin to negotiate in trust.

The United States and Germany are close allies of Israel, which has become increasingly isolated because of his military campaign in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza, where local authorities say more than 42,000 people have been killed.

“We will not accept Iran attacking Israel with rockets”, Scholz said on Wednesday.

This should not happen. There should be no further destabilisation of the region. And Iran is playing with fire. This should stop”, he added. / REL/