Biden: “As Ukraine faces a difficult winter, we must maintain our resolve”

In a statement during his official visit to Berlin, U.S. President Joe Biden said, “As Ukraine faces a harsh winter, we must maintain our resolve. I know the cost is high, but that cost is incomparable to living in a world where great powers attack small states simply because they can.”

During his official visit to Germany, President Biden met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Speaking at a press conference before the meeting, Biden called on the West to continue its support for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion. Biden stated, “As Ukraine faces a harsh winter, we must maintain our resolve. I know the cost is high, but that cost is incomparable to living in a world where aggression prevails, where great powers attack small states simply because they can and bully them.”

Biden indicated that he would discuss increasing military support for Ukraine and efforts to support its civilian energy infrastructure with Scholz, and he mentioned that they would also address conflicts in the Middle East. He noted that assistance from the U.S. to NATO allies would be conditional.

“Our position is clear: We strongly support Ukraine,” said Chancellor Scholz. He mentioned a $50 billion international loan package planned to be financed by the interest from frozen Russian assets, stating, “Our position is clear: We support Ukraine as strongly as possible. At the same time, we strive to ensure that this war does not result in a greater disaster by keeping NATO from being a party to the war.”

Praising Biden’s leadership in rallying global support for Ukraine, Scholz said, “The failure of Putin’s plans and Ukraine not being invaded within a few days is thanks to your leadership.”

Scholz pointed out that Russian President Vladimir Putin miscalculated, stating, “We are committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity to ensure that Russia cannot subdue Ukraine through the use of force. We stand by Ukraine as long as necessary.” The German Chancellor also mentioned that he would stand by his decision to refuse to send Taurus long-range cruise missiles to Kyiv, expressing some skepticism about aspects of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s victory plan.

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also participated in the meeting between U.S. President Biden and German Chancellor Scholz.