World Leaders Praise Biden As He Quits Presidential Race
WASHINGTON, DC (IANS) – Leaders from around the world have reacted to US President Joe Biden’s announcement that he would not seek re-election this year, endorsing Vice-President Kamala Harris to run in the race for the White House.
US allies offered tributes to Biden’s work over decades of government service, discussing his work as a partner in international security, without addressing the tense political debate still unfolding in the US, The Guardian reported.
The US election campaign comes at a pivotal moment with major conflicts ongoing in Ukraine and in Gaza, both parties warning of a growing great-power rivalry with China, and European allies unsettled about a revanchist Russia and potential ‘America First’ policy under Donald Trump that could see Washington turn its back on the continent.
“Dear President @JoeBiden,” wrote Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, “you’ve taken many difficult decisions thanks to which Poland, America and the world are safer, and democracy stronger. I know you were driven by the same motivations when announcing your final decision. Probably the most difficult one in your life.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said “I respect President Biden’s decision and I look forward to us working together during the remainder of his presidency,” Starmer said in a statement. “I know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, he will have made his decision based on what he believes is best for the American people.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X: “My friend @POTUS Joe Biden has achieved a lot: for his country, for Europe, for the world. Thanks to him, transatlantic cooperation is close, NATO is strong, and the US is a good and reliable partner for us. His decision not to run again deserves respect.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who met with Biden at last week’s NATO Summit as the country endures its third year of war with Russia, said that Ukraine was “grateful to President Biden for his unwavering support for Ukraine’s fight for freedom, which, along with strong bipartisan support in the United States, has been and continues to be critical.”
While Benjamin Netanyahu, who is expected in Washington this week, has an increasingly tense relationship with Biden, other prominent Israeli officials wrote positively of the decision, The Guardian reported.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called Biden a “true friend” of Israel.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also thanked Biden for his “unwavering support of Israel over the years. Your steadfast backing, especially during the war, has been invaluable. We are grateful for your leadership and friendship”.
Predictably, the Russians were less complimentary of Biden’s record and accused him of standing behind growing tensions around the world. “Biden has caused problems all over the world and in his own country, the United States. Since he sees that he will not be elected, he is withdrawing without waiting for the election,” Russian state Duma leader Vyacheslav Volodin, an ally of President Vladimir Putin’s, told reporters.
Biden “should be held accountable for the war unleashed in Ukraine, for destroying the economies of European countries, and for the sanctions policy against Russia and other countries,” Volodin said.
