Joe Biden's Compressed Berlin Visit

US President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit Berlin on Friday, marking his first official bilateral visit to Germany during his presidency. Initially planned as a state visit, the trip was postponed due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Milton in Florida. Now, it has been rescheduled as a compact working visit.

The visit, set for just one day, will include meetings with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz. During the visit, Biden is expected to receive the Federal Order of Merit, highlighting his contributions to German-American relations.

Originally, the visit was to include a broader meeting with Western leaders at the Ramstein Air Base to discuss support for Ukraine. However, this was canceled following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent European tour. Instead, Biden's visit will focus on bilateral discussions, covering topics like ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

This trip is seen as a farewell visit ahead of Biden's term ending in early November, aligning with the upcoming US elections. German government sources emphasize that this visit will focus on maintaining and enhancing the collaborative relationship between Germany and the United States. Preparations for the visit are already underway within the German government and security agencies, ensuring a robust yet concise schedule for the high-profile visit.