Biden to Host Key Meeting in Germany on Ukraine Support Amid Ongoing Conflict
US President Joe Biden is set to convene a significant meeting of Ukraine supporters in Germany this October, as announced by the White House on Thursday. This upcoming gathering will bring together heads of state and government from over 50 countries, all of whom are coordinating military support in response to Ukraine's defense against the Russian invasion. Previously, this contact group had met at the defense minister level at the US base in Ramstein, Rhineland-Palatinate.
The level of participation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains unclear for the time being. However, just hours before Biden was scheduled to host Zelensky at the White House, the President ordered an additional military assistance package for Ukraine, totaling approximately eight billion US dollars. During their meeting, Zelensky is expected to detail his victory plan aimed at compelling Russia to negotiate an end to the conflict.
This week, the two leaders had a brief discussion in New York before Biden's upcoming trip to Berlin, where he is expected to arrive on the evening of October 10. The following day, he will be honored with a midday state banquet by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. It is anticipated that Biden will also meet in a Quad format with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on October 12, exploring negotiations for a potential peace solution in Ukraine.
Subsequently, the conference for Ukraine supporters is expected to take place in the afternoon at the US base in Ramstein. Biden may also use the occasion to bid farewell to US soldiers stationed there. This will mark Biden's first official visit to Germany at the end of his term, following his participation in the G7 summit in Elmau in June 2022.
As part of the discussions leading up to the meeting, both Biden and Scholz have expressed the necessity to prevent escalation of the conflict, reaffirming their commitment to support Ukraine while avoiding a military confrontation between NATO and Russia.
In alignment with this commitment, the White House announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine, which includes advanced air defense systems, such as a Patriot battery and hundreds of associated missiles, AMRAAM air-to-air missiles with a range of 180 kilometers, and drones alongside ammunition for fighter jets. Notably, the US is also training additional pilots for F-16 fighter jets being provided by Western countries. For the first time, the Pentagon will supply Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) glide bombs, capable of long-range targeting up to 130 kilometers.
However, according to a Reuters report, Biden may opt against publicly lifting restrictions on the use of US weapons against targets deep within Russian territory. Zelensky has long called for authorization to strike Russian bases and military airfields, which have been sources for attacks against Ukraine. A fundamental aspect of Zelensky's victory plan involves enabling Western allies to exert military pressure on Russia through arms deliveries, in order to compel President Vladimir Putin to engage in negotiations.
As the situation continues to evolve, Biden's meeting in Germany represents a crucial moment in the ongoing international efforts to support Ukraine and address the challenges posed by the Russian conflict.
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