In a joint statement issued after the meeting in Berlin, the leaders of the United States, France, Germany and the United Kingdom pledged to “continue to support Ukraine in its efforts to secure a just and lasting peace based on international law and the United Nations, as well as respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
The declaration of intent in support of Ukraine and against its Russian aggressor was issued at the end of a meeting in the German capital, which was held during a lightning visit by North American President Joe Biden.
At the same time, Biden appealed to the member states of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Western Defense bloc) in the German capital not to “diminish” their support for Kiev in a fierce battle with Russian forces.
The appeal comes at a time when Western aid shows signs of weakening and the US could seriously rethink its policy if former president and Republican nominee Donald Trump wins the November presidential election.
The Ukrainian army, for its part, is retreating in the east and is the target of constant bombardment by Russian artillery, particularly on its essential infrastructure.
Another issue of serious concern in Ukraine: According to South Korean intelligence, North Korea has sent 1,500 special forces soldiers to support its Russian ally, and others are expected to follow.
“This is a very worrying and serious development,” the French foreign ministry responded.
Above all, it reflects a “level of frustration” with “Russia in the process of weakening,” Keir Starmer maintained in Berlin during a press conference.
The US president, who flew out of Germany late in the afternoon, paid a brief farewell visit to America’s most loyal allies in Europe in Berlin.
“We support Ukraine with all our strength”, declared Olaf Scholes, and at the same time, we ensure that “NATO will not become a belligerent in the war”, “to prevent it from becoming an even bigger disaster”.
So far, none of the demands laid out by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his “victory plan” to the European Union (EU) and NATO on Thursday have garnered unanimous support from allies.
This was, in particular, during his request for a quick invitation to join NATO.
The meeting of the four Western leaders in the German capital followed Germany’s tribute to Joe Biden.
German head of state Frank-Walter Steinmeier hailed him as a “guide to democracy” who showed unwavering support for the Atlantic alliance and Ukraine at “the most dangerous moment since the end of the Cold War”.
The North American President was awarded the National Order of Merit for his contributions to transatlantic relations and the defense of democracy.
After the tumultuous presidency of Donald Trump (2017-2021), the mandate of Joe Biden allowed a clear strengthening of relations between Washington and Berlin, especially on the issue of Ukraine, in which the two capitals regularly aligned their decisions.
The 81-year-old Democrat, who withdrew from the presidential race, postponed his trip to Germany a week ago because of Hurricane Milton.
Apart from Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East was another hot topic of discussion between the four leaders.
Israel’s announcement Thursday night that Hamas leader Yahya Shinowar had been killed during a military operation in the Gaza Strip represented a turning point in the war sparked by the Palestinian movement’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israeli territory.
The four Western leaders said their disappearances highlighted the “immediate need” to free the hostages still in the hands of Hamas and end the war in the Gaza Strip.
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