Here are some of the reactions to Biden’s exit around the world:
Israel
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed gratitude to Biden for his “friendship and unwavering support for the Israeli people throughout his decades-long career.”
“As the first U.S. president to visit Israel in wartime, as a recipient of Israel’s Presidential Medal of Honor, and as a true ally of the Jewish people, he is a symbol of the unbreakable bond between our two peoples,” Herzog said in a post on X.
Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country respected Biden’s “difficult but strong decision” and was grateful for his “unwavering support” as it fought to repel Russia’s invasion.
“We will always be grateful for President Biden’s leadership. He supported our country during the most dramatic moment in history, helped us prevent Putin from occupying our country and continued to support us during this terrible war,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X.
“The current situation in Ukraine and across Europe is no less challenging, and we sincerely hope that America’s continued strong leadership will prevent Russian evil from succeeding or cause its aggression to be rewarded.”
Ukraine is grateful to President Biden for his unwavering support of Ukraine’s fight for freedom, which, along with strong bipartisan support in the United States, has been and continues to be critical.
Many strong decisions have been made in recent years and will be…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 21, 2024
Russia
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was more focused on winning the war in Ukraine than the outcome of the US elections.
“For us, achieving the objectives of the special military operation [against Ukraine] it is a priority, not the outcome of the US elections,” Peskov told state media.
UK
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he respects Biden’s decision and looks forward to working with him throughout the remainder of his presidency.
“I know that, as he has throughout his remarkable career, he will have made his decision based on what he believes is best for the American people,” Starmer said on X.
Canada
Canadian Prime Minister Judge Trudeau hailed Biden as a “great man” whose actions were “guided by his love for his country.”
“As president, he is a partner to Canadians – and a true friend. To President Biden and the First Lady: thank you,” said Trudeau on X.
I have known President Biden for years. He is a great man and everything he does is guided by his love for his country. As president, he is a partner to Canadians – and a true friend.
To President Biden and the First Lady: Thank you. pic.twitter.com/5mQvFn8INn
-Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 21, 2024
Australia
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked Biden for his leadership and “continued service”.
“The Australia-US Alliance has never been stronger with our shared commitment to democratic values, international security, economic prosperity and climate action for this and future generations,” Albanese said on X.
Germany
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that his “friend” Biden 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 recognition,” Scholz said on X.
My friend @POTUS Joe Biden was very wrong: for his homeland, for Europe, for the world. Dank ihm ist the transatlantische Zusammenarbeit eng, the NATO stark, the USA ein guter und verlässlicher Partner für uns. Sein Entschluss him, nicht noch einmal zu candidieren, verdient Anerkennung.
— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) July 21, 2024
Spain
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Biden made a “courageous and dignified decision.”
“Thanks to your determination and leadership, the US overcame the economic crisis following the pandemic and the serious attack on the Capitol and has been exemplary in its support for Ukraine in the face of Putin’s Russian aggression,” Sanchez said on X.
“A great gesture from a great president who always fought for democracy and freedom.”
Poland
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk praised Biden for making “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 hardest one of your life,” Tusk said on X.
Czech Republic
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said Biden’s decision was that of a “statesman who has served his country for decades”.
“It is a responsible and personally difficult step, but it is even more valuable. I am crossing my fingers that the US emerges a good president from the democratic competition of two strong and equal candidates,” said Fiala.
Ireland
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris praised Biden as a “voice of reason, effective multilateralism and shared solutions”.
“Joe Biden, in every role he has held, has always been an unwavering voice and passionate worker for peace on the island of Ireland and our country owes him a great debt for that,” Harris said in a statement.
My statement about the US president @JoeBiden. pic.twitter.com/5WltCqip06
-Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) July 21, 2024
This story originally appeared on Aljazeera.com read the full story
