US President to visit Germany, reveals agenda focus

US President Joe Biden will visit Germany next month for talks on bilateral relations and Ukraine, Steffen Hebestreit, spokesman for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, said, confirming what is seen as Biden's farewell visit ahead of the US presidential election in November.

"The German government looks forward to US President Joe Biden's visit to Germany from October 10-12," Hebestreit said at a press conference in Berlin on September 27. "This visit will provide an opportunity to highlight the importance of the German-American relationship in general and the close cooperation between the two governments in particular."

The spokesman also revealed the main focus of the agenda: Western military support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.

US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Photo: Getty Images

"Planning is still underway, but I can tell you that the visit will reflect the close bilateral relationship between the two countries, as well as close coordination on international issues," Mr. Hebestreit stressed.

"I can confirm that, together with the US side, we are also planning to hold a summit of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) on October 12," he said, referring to regular meetings of the Western allies at Ramstein Air Base in the southwestern German state of Rhineland-Palatinate.

Hebestreit did not provide any further details about the scheduled meeting. The U.S.-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) brings together about 50 countries, including 32 NATO members, and is meeting at the U.S. Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

Previous meetings of the group have been held at the level of defense ministers or senior military officials. The most recent Ramstein meeting on September 6 was the group’s 24th since its formation in April 2022.

The meeting was attended directly by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who called for more weapons to be supplied to his country to repel the advance of Russian forces on the ground.

Here, Ukraine has received new military aid commitments from allies including the US, UK, Germany and Canada. Kiev has been promised at least one air defense system, along with missiles, tanks, armored vehicles, artillery and other ammunition. The long-range weapons that Ukraine most wants, such as ATACMS or Storm Shadow missiles, are not on the list, nor are there any changes to restrictions on their use.

Mr Hebestreit did not confirm whether Mr Zelensky would attend the summit in October.

The meeting, hosted by President Biden, will come at a critical time for Ukraine: It comes just before a U.S. election that could upend the support Kiev receives from its biggest donor. Republican nominee Donald Trump has long criticized the U.S. for providing billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine.

In addition to talks with Scholz, Biden's trip will also include a meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Hebestreit said.

Minh Duc (According to Anadolu, Barron's, Kyiv Independent)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/tong-thong-my-sap-tham-duc-he-lo-trong-tam-chuong-trinh-nghi-su-204240928141620499.htm