Washington: As per media reports, world leaders responded to US President Joe Biden’s declaration that he would not run for reelection this year and that he would support Vice President Kamala Harris in her presidential bid.
With major conflicts still raging in Gaza and Ukraine, both parties warning of escalating great power rivalry with China, and European allies uneasy about a revanchist Russia and a potential ‘America First’ policy under Donald Trump that could see Washington turn its back on the continent, the US election campaign comes at a critical juncture.
According to The Guardian, US allies mainly paid tribute to Biden’s accomplishments throughout his decades of public service, talking about his role as a collaborator in international security without mentioning the contentious political controversy that is currently going on in the US.
As the Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, said on X, “Dear President @JoeBiden, you’ve made 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 that he “respected” Biden’s decision and called his career “remarkable”.
“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.”
Likewise, in the words of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who 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 Defence 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.”
“President Biden is a true friend of Israel who stood by us in our most difficult moments,” he wrote on X.
“During my tenure as Prime Minister, I witnessed his unwavering support of the State of Israel. Thank you for everything.”
US adversaries criticised Biden’s record and accused him of standing behind growing tensions worldwide.
“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 on Sunday.
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.
“The issue has not been Biden for a long time,” said Russia’s Federation Council Deputy Speaker Konstantin Kosyachov.
“The Americans are divided in their positions in favour of or against Trump. I believe that whoever leads the Democrats’ campaign after Biden’s withdrawal, this divide will remain in place. And everything will depend on how the Republicans will now organise and complete this campaign.”
Some of those who chimed in to commend Biden were careful to maintain their neutrality in the upcoming elections.
“It is undoubtedly the decision of a statesman who has served his country for decades,” wrote Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.
“It is a responsible and personally difficult step, but it is all the more valuable. I am keeping my fingers crossed for the USA that a good President emerges from the democratic competition of two strong and equal candidates.”
Photo Credit: IANS
