President Joe Biden left Washington for Germany on Thursday morning what will happen it is one of the last opportunities to show his view on foreign policy until the election next month.
After landing in Berlin, Biden will receive full military honors on Friday before receiving the nation’s highest Service Medal. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier– his office said.
Biden is being awarded the Grand Cross special degree “in recognition of his contributions to both.” German-American friendship and the transatlantic connectionhe has played a key role in shaping all the offices he has held over the past five decades,” Steinmeier’s office said in a press release.
Biden will be in Berlin for less than 24 hours, and according to a senior administration official, He will also meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to discuss common military objectives, including economic and trade priorities. The president is also expected to announce a new exchange program and an initiative to attract private investment in emerging technologies in the US and Germany.
The meeting with Scholz comes months after the German leader played a key role in a multinational prisoner exchange. journalist Evan Gershkovich brought and past Marine Paul Whelan Home from long prison sentences in Russia.
Biden met with Scholz at the White House in February to discuss the release of a Russian murderer serving a life sentence in Germany in exchange. After years of refusing to encourage US trade with Russia, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris separately persuaded Scholz earlier this year. The deal eventually led to the exchange of 24 prisoners from seven countries.
A senior administration official called Scholz’s actions courageous decision-making, adding that Biden’s “visit this week is really a testament to that partnership.”
Biden’s visit to Berlin is expected to conclude with a meeting with the leaders of France and Britain. Support for Ukraine is in focus In defense against Russia and The conflict in the Middle East.
On Wednesday, Biden announced a $425 million aid package to Ukraine, including air-to-ground munitions and armored vehicles, and promised more defense systems and supplies in the coming months.
The visit was planned alongside a three-day trip to Angola last week. But it was delayed so the Biden administration could deploy its response to Hurricane Milton overseas. The White House said Biden will now travel to Angola in early December.