Historic mission: Biden can influence the end of the war in Gaza and guarantee support for Ukraine
Kyiv • UNN
Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 elections gives him the opportunity to focus on foreign policy. Key challenges: ending the Israeli-Hamas conflict, and securing Ukraine's support against russia's military aggression.
Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the U.S. presidential race in 2024 opens the door for the experienced politician to focus on foreign policy. In particular: to achieve the end of the confrontation between Israel and Hamas, as well as to secure guarantees of support for Ukraine.
This is written by UNN with reference to Financial Times.
Details
U.S. President Joe Biden has withdrawn from the race for the upcoming election to head the White House, but he has the opportunity to leave behind a significant legacy, particularly in matters of international policy.
The Financial Times writes that the “first test” of Biden's new life will take place this week - the current leader of the United States will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington.
Netanyahu's first meeting at the White House since his return to power in 2022 gives Biden a chance to advance what could be his significant legacy: ending the war between Israel and Hamas.
If you look at the next six months, one of the most important tasks for Biden is to end the war in Gaza.... This administration, in a sense, will be freer to do that, and the people in it will have an even greater sense of mission to accomplish that....
Ahead of his visit, Netanyahu said he would deliver a more conciliatory speech to Congress on Wednesday than he did in 2015, when he addressed the body and blasted the Obama administration for seeking a nuclear deal with Iran.
The prime minister wants to win the support of the American public for Israel's military action, a goal made even more difficult by the political turmoil in the United States over the past two weeks.
Regarding Ukraine and its fight against Russian aggression
One of Biden's top priorities will be to ensure that Ukraine is supported as much as possible if Trump wins in November. The former president mentioned that he might reconsider military aid to Ukraine if it does not enter into negotiations with Russia.
Officials and analysts say the current administration is unlikely to advance another aid package to Kiev before the end of Biden's term. Earlier this year, Congress passed a $61 billion aid package through early 2025. But the president can ensure that bilateral deals with Ukraine are finalized and advance any aid that is available to Kiev before the end of his term.
“It's possible to accelerate some of the deliveries ... but the bottom line is that if Trump wins the election, he will be in a position to control the flow of military aid,” explains Richard Fontaine, executive director of the Center for a New American Security think tank in Washington.
Jim Townsend, a former top Pentagon official who focused on Europe and NATO, said Biden could help bolster his reputation by making trips that draw attention to U.S. aid to Ukraine, such as being in Kiev when U.S. F-16s arrive in the country.
