Gaza at the heart of Biden, European leaders' meeting in Berlin

Joe Biden is meeting with several European leaders on Friday in Berlin, where he is making his last visit as US president, including to push for a ceasefire in Gaza following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

During this one-day lightning trip to one of the United States' main partners, aid to Ukraine will be the other major issue on the agenda, the day after Volodymyr Zelensky presented his “victory plan” to the European Union and NATO.

Israel's announcement on Thursday evening of the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, killed during a military operation in the Gaza Strip, marks a turning point in the war triggered by the Palestinian movement's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Joe Biden said upon his arrival in the German capital that he had called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “congratulate” him.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will soon visit Israel, he announced, adding that he “hoped” to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.

Palestinian children pictured in a camp for displaced people, on October 17, 2024 in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip © AFP – Eyad BABA

“It is time for this war to end” and for the Hamas hostages in Gaza “to be brought home,” he said.

The death of Yahya Sinwar represents “an opportunity that we must seize together to bring a better day to the people of Gaza, Israel and the entire region,” commented White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan.

Europeans and Americans are also concerned about the escalation in Lebanon between Israel and the pro-Iranian militia Hezbollah.

The 81-year-old Democrat, who withdrew from the presidential race, postponed his trip to Germany a week ago because of Hurricane Milton.

– Four-way meeting –

On Friday, Joe Biden will first be welcomed at 0800 GMT with military honors by his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (left) and US President Joe Biden exchange during a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy, June 6, 2024 in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer © AFP – Ludovic MARIN

A one-on-one meeting is scheduled for midday with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, followed by a four-way meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the Middle East and Ukraine.

This trip also offers Joe Biden a final chance to reassure his allies, who are worried about a possible victory for Republican Donald Trump after the November 5 presidential election, particularly on the Ukrainian issue.

Two and a half years after the start of the Russian invasion, Ukraine is in great difficulty on the eastern front and is suffering deadly and incessant bombings, particularly targeting its critical infrastructure.

In addition, a weakening of Western mobilization is looming against a backdrop of public weariness.

Germany, the second largest arms supplier to kyiv after the United States, has already halved its budget for Ukraine for 2025 to 4 billion euros.

– “Sustainable commitment” –

None of the demands made by Volodymyr Zelensky in his “victory plan” has so far met with unanimous support from the Allies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gives a press conference on October 17, 2024 in Brussels © AFP – François WALSCHAERTS

But what Joe Biden “is trying to do is make our commitment to Ukraine sustainable,” assured his advisor Jake Sullivan.

For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron stressed Thursday evening in Brussels that “the question of security guarantees” for Ukraine would be raised during the meeting of Western leaders in Berlin.

He added that he supported a request from Kiev to invite Ukraine to participate in NATO summits.

“It is important that we evaluate all possibilities for a just and lasting peace for Ukraine,” said Olaf Scholz, also in Brussels.

After the tumultuous presidency of Donald Trump (2017-2021), Joe Biden's mandate marked a clear warming between Washington and Berlin, particularly on the Ukrainian issue where the two countries have regularly aligned their decisions.

Joe Biden “did not want to end his term without visiting the capital of one of our most important allies,” said his security adviser Jack Sullivan.

The Germans “played a central role in the Allied response to Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine” and now it's “a question of where we go from here with Ukraine,” he added.

All rights reserved. © (2024) Agence France-Presse