Biden says Western nations must sustain support 'until Ukraine wins'; receives Germany’s highest honour

United States President Joe Biden met with hisGerman counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Bellevue Palace in Berlin on Friday (Oct 18). Biden arrived in Germany on Thursday, after rescheduling a visit last week to oversee the response toHurricane Milton which had impacted US several states.

This is the first official state visit by an American president since the German reunification.

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In Germany, Biden called on NATO allies to continue supporting Ukraine amid its war with Russia as he began a farewell visit to Berlinon Friday, just weeks ahead of the presidentialelections in the US.

Kyiv and its Western alliesare concerned that a potential return of Republican presidential candidateDonald Trump to the White House could lead to a decrease in US military aid. Therefore, Bidenstressed that Western nations must "sustain our support ... until Ukraine wins a just and sustainable peace."

"We're headed into a very difficult winter. We cannot let up,"hesaid.

On Thursday, Steinmeier presented Biden with the highest class of the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit, Germany's top federal honour reserved for heads of state.

During a speech at Bellevue Palace, Steinmeier expressed gratitude to the US president for his decades of support for Germany, Europe, and the transatlantic partnership, dating back to Biden’s first visit to the country 44 years ago.

"Mr. President, we have known that you have been interested in Germany for half a century. Germany in turn is deeply grateful to you," the German president said. He also noted that under Biden’s leadership, the transatlantic alliance has become "stronger than ever."

"For Germany, friendship with the US was, is and always will be existentially important, both for our security and our democracy, even when there are times of disagreement," he added.

After receiving the Order of Merit, President Biden reflected on his long-standing relationship with Germany. He reminisced about his initial visit to the country as a young senator when Berlin, Germany, and Europe were divided.

"The times I have lived through have taught me that history does move forward, and things can get better. We should never underestimate the power of democracy, the value of alliances," Biden said. "Germany has taught us that change is possible. Countries can and do choose their own destinies. I thank the current leaders of Germany for the choices they’ve made," he added.

Speaking to reporters during US President Joe Biden's visit, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, "We are supporting Ukraine as powerfully as we can and at the same time we are making sure that NATO does not become a party to the war, so that this war does not turn into an even bigger catastrophe."

Later, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are expected to join Biden and Scholz for further discussions.

(With inputs from agencies)