World leaders lined up to pay tribute to Joe Biden after he announced on Sunday that he would not seek reelection for the US presidency. The news came as a shock, drastically altering the 2024 race for the White House. Biden’s decision was revealed in a letter to the public, where he also endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s new nominee.
European allies were quick to express their appreciation for Biden’s leadership. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Biden for his unwavering support during the ongoing war with Russia, commending his “tough but strong decision” to end his reelection bid. Zelensky emphasized the significance of Biden’s support, stating, “We will always be thankful for President Biden’s leadership. He supported our country during the most dramatic moment in history, assisted us in preventing (Russian President Vladimir) Putin from occupying our country, and has continued to support us throughout this terrible war.”
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also praised Biden, acknowledging his “many difficult decisions thanks to which Poland, America and the world are safer, and democracy stronger.” He added, “I know you were driven by the same motivations when announcing your final decision. Probably the most difficult one in your life.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed respect for Biden’s decision, stating, “I look forward to us working together during the remainder of his presidency. I know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, he will have made his decision based on what he believes is best for the American people.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz offered his tribute to “my friend,” noting, “Joe Biden has achieved a lot: for his country, for Europe, for the world. His decision not to run again deserves respect.”
Leaders from beyond Europe also voiced their appreciation for Biden’s service. Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant thanked Biden for his “unwavering support of Israel over the years,” emphasizing the value of his “steadfast backing, especially during the war.” He concluded, “We are grateful for your leadership and friendship.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau lauded Biden as a “great man” whose actions are driven by “his love for his country.” He described Biden as “a partner to Canadians — and a true friend,” expressing gratitude to both the president and the First Lady for their service.
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida acknowledged that Biden’s decision is one “he feels is the best political decision he can make,” emphasizing the importance of the Japan-US alliance for his country’s diplomacy and security. He concluded that Japan will “monitor the situation closely.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed similar sentiments, thanking Biden “for your leadership and ongoing service.” He highlighted the strength of the Australia-US alliance, stating, “The Australia-US alliance has never been stronger with our shared commitment to democratic values, international security, economic prosperity and climate action for this and future generations.”
Former President Barack Obama, who served alongside Biden as vice president for two terms, commended his record in office. He stated, “Internationally, he restored America’s standing in the world, revitalised NATO, and mobilised the world to stand up against Russian aggression in Ukraine.” While acknowledging that Biden had every right to run for reelection, Obama emphasized that his decision to drop out of the race is a testament to his “love of country.”
Despite the outpouring of praise from world leaders, some leading Republicans expressed concerns about Biden’s fitness to remain in office. House Speaker Mike Johnson, the top Republican in Congress, stated, “If Joe Biden is not fit to run for president, he is not fit to serve as president. He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough.”
Former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, shared similar sentiments on his Truth Social network, writing, “Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for president, and is certainly not fit to serve.”
The Kremlin stated that it was monitoring the situation closely, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov telling the Life.ru news outlet, “The election is still four months away. And it’s a long time, during which a lot can change. We need to pay attention, follow what will happen and go about our business.”
