President Joe Biden announcement that he was ending his candidacy for re-election It resonated around the world, making front-page headlines and provoking a flood of responses from friends and foes alike.
With poll numbers falling, donors fleeing and party luminaries pressuring him to leave, Biden’s decision to abruptly end his half-century career in politics drew not only praise from Democrats but also kind words from America’s friends. abroad.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was grateful for his leadership and that he respected Biden’s “difficult but strong decision” to drop out of the race.
Zelenskyy, who spoke with former President Donald Trump just two days ago, said on X“[Biden] 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.”
His observations come in the wake of a potential Trump presidency along with JD Vance like his running mate, both of whom have criticized the Biden administration’s support for Ukraine and called for a quick end to the war in that country — potentially allowing Russia to keep the annexed territory.
Elsewhere in Europe, there was much praise for Biden, who was just 29 years old in 1972 when he became one of the youngest US senators. At the time, Biden did not meet the Senate’s 30-year-old minimum age requirement. He turned 30 a few weeks after his victory.
“My friend @POTUS Joe Biden has achieved a lot: for his country, for Europe, for the world,” said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in X. “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.”
Scholz’s comments were echoed by allies in the region, including Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a former president of the European Council, who said: “You have taken many difficult decisions, thanks to which Poland, America and the world are more secure, and democracy stronger.” .”
In Britain, Biden ally Keir Starmer, who took the helm as prime minister earlier this month, said on X: “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.” Ireland’s leader, Simon Harris, called Biden “a voice for reason, effective multilateralism and shared solutions”.
This enthusiasm may reflect genuine affection for Biden, but these allies were unlikely to offer anything other than a glowing assessment of the outgoing incumbent. With the presidential race still at stake, these allies know they will have to work with whoever wins.
It wasn’t just Europe that thanked Biden.
On October 7, when Hamas launched its attack on Israel and killed nearly 1,200 civilians, the Biden administration threw its support behind Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose ongoing war in the Gaza Strip has killed more than 39,000 people. according to health authorities in the enclave. Although differences later emerged between the two, with Biden calling for more moderation, Netanyahu expressed gratitude as he left for Washington on Monday for his fourth scheduled address to Congress.
“I intend to see President Biden, who I have known for 40 years. This will be an opportunity to thank him for the things he did for Israel in the war and during his long and distinguished career in public service,” Netanyahu said. said on X.
Russia, which Biden imposed a series of sanctions on following its invasion of Ukraine, struck a different tone.
“There are still 4 months left until the elections,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian media outlet Life.ru. “This is a long period of time, during which a lot can change. We need to pay attention, monitor what happens next and mind our own business.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously said he prefers Biden to Trump, although Trump has threatened to pull out of NATO, which would weaken an alliance that has supported Ukraine against Russia, much of it guided by Biden.
China offered no praise, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning telling reporters that the American presidential election was an internal matter.
But amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, other Asian countries that have deepened their partnerships with the US under Biden were quick to offer praise.
Speaking about
The Philippines is a treaty ally of the USA, which supported the country in the midst of latent tensions and regular standoffs with Beijing in the South China Sea.
In Japan, a key US ally that has seen its military partnership expanded under Biden, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said: “I believe President Biden made his judgment thinking about what would be best politically,” adding that Japan’s alliance with The US was the “cornerstone of our country’s foreign and security policies.”
Further south, where Australia has stepped up its military cooperation with the US, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “Thank you for your leadership and continued service, President Biden.” The alliance between his two nations, he said on X“It’s never been so strong.”
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said: “President Biden has dedicated his life to public service.
“And that is something that deserves a lot of respect,” he said on X.
This article was originally published in NBCNews. with
