Europe welcomes President Biden's resignation with respect and understanding

USPA NEWS - The resignation of the still President of the United States, Joe Biden, to continue in the electoral race for the elections on November 5 has found understanding, respect and a certain fear in Europe that a replacement in the White House will change international relations. European leaders praised Biden's commitment and his legacy on Monday.

“All my admiration and recognition for the brave and worthy decision of President Joe Biden. Thanks to his determination and leadership, the United States overcame the economic crisis after the pandemic and the serious assault on the Capitol, and its support for Ukraine in the face of Putin's Russian aggression has been exemplary. A great gesture from a great president who has always fought for democracy and freedom,” said the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, this Monday.

Many European leaders expressed their gratitude to President Joe Biden for his work in strengthening NATO and his management of the country in the face of tensions with Russia over the invasion of Ukraine. Among others, Olaf Scholz, chancellor of Germany; Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland, and Simon Harris, Prime Minister of Ireland. They all praised Biden's decision not to seek re-election and expressed their desire to continue working with him until the end of his term.

The Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel, also expressed this Monday his "political and personal" respect for President Joe Biden's decision. Speaking to journalists in Brussels, where he is on an official visit, Rangel affirmed that during Biden's mandate there has been "an immense reinforcement" of the transatlantic relationship and noted that the relationship between the United States and Portugal has been good. He recalled the role Biden has played in responding to the war in Ukraine and even the conflict in the Middle East, where he has recently put a peace plan on the table.

Biden "lived through the Cold War a lot and, therefore, perfectly understands the challenges that the European continent has with an attack, a war of aggression like this one that Putin's Government has carried out," Rangel said.

For his part, Kremlin spokesman Dimitri Peskov stated that, although he does not value the decision of the President of the United States, Joe Biden, to withdraw from the electoral race, it is a step that did not surprise him, and he took the opportunity to call out his possible replacement, Vice President Kamala Harris, for her "hostile" rhetoric toward Moscow. "To be honest, what has happened in the United States in recent years has taught us not to be surprised by anything. Therefore, we have not been very surprised," Peskov said at a news conference from Moscow.

The Kremlin spokesman acknowledged that for Moscow "it is very important" to be able to resume relations with Washington, "which are now going through the worst period in history." However, Peskov charged against the Biden Administration and said that he "does not expect anything good" from it. In fact, Peskov took the opportunity to point out that, although Moscow is not in a position to evaluate a possible candidacy of Harris, Russian authorities have not noticed "any contribution" from the Vice President of the United States to improving bilateral relations in the last four years.

And the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, recalled that he has maintained a constructive relationship with President Joe Biden and said that he respects his decision to leave the White House if he considers that another candidate has greater possibilities to win the elections. Borrell also expressed his support for the next Democratic candidate and stressed the relevance of the transatlantic relationship, which will vary depending on who assumes power.