Meeting with Biden
Steinmeier worried about tensions in Washington
October 7, 2023, 2:33 a.m
Federal President Steinmeier makes a surprise visit to the White House, where he speaks with US President Biden about further military aid for Ukraine. There is currently a problem in both Berlin and Washington – for different reasons.
During his visit to Washington, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed concern about further US military aid to Ukraine given the paralysis in the US Congress. “I am one of the many in Germany who watched this not only with interest, but also with concern,” said Steinmeier after a meeting with US President Joe Biden about the turbulence in the wake of the removal of the Republican chairman of the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy . “We felt the tensions that existed here in political Washington,” Steinmeier continued. He very much hopes that there will be a “solution” that will enable agreements between Biden’s Democrats and the opposition Republicans. “This of course also includes continued support for Ukraine. President Biden was sure that this would succeed.”
Steinmeier traveled to Washington for a visit that was announced at short notice and was received by President Biden in the White House. The official reason for the trip was German-American Friendship Day, which is celebrated in the USA on October 6th. An important topic of the conversation was continued support for Ukraine in its defense against the Russian war of aggression. The Federal President’s trip comes at a time of great uncertainty about further US military support for Ukraine. Last weekend, the US Congress passed an interim budget to avert a budget freeze that does not include any new aid to Ukraine.
Biden wants Congress to approve billions in new aid for Kiev in a separate text. However, the US House of Representatives was plunged into chaos on Tuesday by the ouster of its leader McCarthy in a rebellion by right-wing hardliners. The Chamber of Congress is therefore paralyzed until further notice. It is unclear when a new chairman will be elected and whether and when new aid to Ukraine can pass the chamber.
Steinmeier: No pressure from Washington over Taurus
According to Steinmeier, the US government is not putting any pressure on Germany in the debate about a possible delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. “Biden has no expectations of Germany,” said the Federal President. On the contrary, Biden praised the fact that Germany had developed into Ukraine’s second strongest supporter over the months. This is viewed with respect in Washington. The US government would like “that we also use our opportunities to convince others to also make a stable contribution to supporting Ukraine,” added Steinmeier. The background is that the Polish government has announced restrictions on deliveries. In Slovakia, Robert Fico, the winner of the parliamentary election, also announced that he would no longer supply weapons to Kiev.
It was only in the afternoon that Chancellor Olaf Scholz again drew red lines for the decision on arms deliveries to Ukraine. “It remains the case that we always weigh up all decisions in detail,” he said after the informal EU summit. “It is not possible for us to involve German soldiers in any activities outside the territory of Ukraine,” he added.
The background is the debate as to whether the participation of German soldiers or experts is necessary for the use of Taurus cruise missiles. So far, the Chancellor has not approved a delivery to Ukraine. Scholz points out that this is not currently a priority for Ukraine. Germany supplies air defense systems and has just promised another Patriot system. “That is what we wanted most,” he emphasizes in view of the criticism in Germany of his reluctance.