October 17, 2024
Background Press Call on the President’s Travel to Berlin, Germany
Via Teleconference
4:11 P.M. EDT
MODERATOR: All right, thank you, everyone, for joining us this afternoon/early evening for our background call to preview the President’s travel to Germany tomorrow.
On the line with us tonight is [senior administration official]. He has a quick topper for you all, and then we can go ahead and get to your questions. Again, if you have any questions, just please raise your hand and we’ll call folks — or call on folks, as many as we can in the time that we have today.
All right, over to you.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Great. Thank you. And good afternoon, everyone, and thank you all for joining us.
So, tomorrow, President Biden will travel to Berlin, Germany, where he’ll have a meeting with President Steinmeier and Chancellor Scholz about the full spectrum of global issues that we’re working on together: strengthening our militaries and shared security, bolstering our economies and bilateral trade, and making our democracies more resilient.
Germany has been an incredibly close ally and partner over the past few decades and has risen to the moment in the last three-plus years of this administration.
On security, we’re working closely to advance not just our own bilateral defenses, but also those of NATO Allies and partners. As you well know, Germany is host to one of the largest U.S. troop presences overseas. I believe it’s around 39,000 troops. Germany is also Ukraine’s second largest donor, after the United States, to Ukraine, including critical security assistance and advanced capabilities. And earlier this year, Chancellor Scholz also announced that Germany had met for the first time its NATO spending goal of 2 percent of GDP on defense.
Economically, Germany is one of our most important trade partners and the economic engine of Europe. We have — last year, we had about $325 billion in two-way trade in goods and services. This year, the United States became Germany’s biggest trading partner, and the U.S. and German industries are leading the world in strategic sectors such as climate, infrastructure, health, advanced manufacturing, and transportation, as well as contributing to energy security.
The United States and Germany also have very close people-to-people ties and an enduring bond based on shared democratic values, and that’s exemplified in the people-to-people ties, for example, through our bilateral Fulbright Program, which brings students both to Germany and to the United States in both directions.
Such close relationships with our friends and allies across the globe matter, and they deliver for our people at home. Germany was also critical to securing the release earlier this year of 16 prisoners, including Americans and Germans, from Russian and Belarusian custody, as I said, earlier this year. That took significant political leadership. And because of that concerted effort and, frankly, bold decision-making, our citizens are home with their families and friends, and some of Russia’s most important dissidents are now living free.
So, President Biden’s visit this week is really a testament to this partnership, and we’re looking forward to our conversations over the next few days. To this end, you can expect several announcements that illustrate our unique, enduring relationship.
The President will announce a new exchange program that builds on our commitment to democracy and the democratic values that we safeguard. We’re also going to announce a new dialogue focused on aligning private investment with emerging technologies — for example, artificial intelligence.
All of these announcements are, of course, grounded in the bond that the U.S. and Germany share as friends and allies.
And with that, I’m happy to take any questions that you might have.
MODERATOR: Thank you. First up, we’ll go with Kayla from CNN. Kayla, you should be able to unmute yourself.
Q Thank you so much, Jess. And thank you, [senior administration official], for taking my question.
First, I just wanted to ask, big picture, how the President is viewing the significance of the trip in the context of the final months of his presidency and also the choice that Americans have in three weeks at the ballot box.
And then second, I was just hoping that you could go into a little bit more detail about the conversation that the European Quad will be having on the future of the conflict in Ukraine, and whether you expect any change of heart or change in policy from any of the allies as it regards longer-range weapons into Russia or Ukraine’s victory plan that has been presented to all of them. Thank you.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Okay. Thanks, Kayla. So, in terms of the partnership between President Biden and Chancellor Scholz, it’s been a very, very close working relationship between the two leaders. President Biden feels he has accomplished a lot by working closely with Chancellor Scholz on a range of issues, including especially the response, I would say, to Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, but then also on a range of other issues, including U.S.-EU relations, which were reset under this administration; working on critical issues of trade and technology, of secure supply chains; the complex issues that we’re dealing with currently in the Middle East; security in the Indo-Pacific.
There’s just a range of issues where we have worked very closely with the current German leadership and especially with Chancellor Scholz.
And then also on key issues for President Biden. You’ve heard him talk about why he entered the race, why he wanted to run for office three and a half years ago, and it was about building up America’s democratic values and institutions, safeguarding those. And we have had a partnership with Germany that’s very strong on combating antisemitism, combating xenophobia; promoting tolerance, promoting fundamental freedoms, not just in our countries, but around the world; supporting frontline democracies; building resilience in places like Moldova and Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia.
So the relationship spans a lot of different issue areas, and it’s become very important. So I think President Biden will be happy to be able to thank Chancellor Scholz for the incredible partnership that they’ve had over these last three and a half years.
And then in terms of the Quad meeting, Quad leaders — meaning the United States, the UK, France, and Germany — will have an opportunity to discuss pressing global issues, including Ukraine, including the Middle East.
And as you know, President Zelenskyy has — he just had a call with President Biden earlier today, and he has been talking about his plan for victory. He briefed his own parliament, the Rada, earlier today on the elements of that plan.
And as you know, when President Biden met with President Zelenskyy here in Washington about three weeks ago, I think it was, they discussed in detail the elements of the plan. President Biden announced a surge of $8 billion in additional military assistance for Ukraine. Today, he announced an additional presidential drawdown of $425 million. It includes Javelin anti-tank missiles, some air defense missile capabilities, other ammunition and supplies that are critical to Ukraine’s needs on the frontlines right now.
So I have no doubt that the situation on the battlefield in Ukraine, the trajectory of the war, how allies can best support Ukraine will be a subject of conversation, as well as the Middle East and perhaps some other topics as well.
Q But do you expect a change in policy as a result of any of these conversations, given the fact that Ukraine has asked for longer-term security guarantees and that Zelenskyy —
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I don’t have any announcements on changes in policy to make today.
MODERATOR: All right, next up we’ll go to Jeff Mason with Reuters. Jeff, you should be able to unmute yourself.
Q Great. Thanks very much. Following up on that question, just confirming that the leaders of Britain and France will come to Berlin for this meeting. So they will be meeting in person on these — on the Quad issues?
And following up on what Kayla asked with regard to Ukraine, can you just expand a little bit more on what you expect him to discuss on the Middle East and the latest there? Thank you.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yeah. So, you know, I don’t want to get ahead of our German hosts who are organizing the meetings in Berlin, but President Biden looks forward to having a conversation with other leaders about the critical issues of the day, which obviously include Russia’s war against Ukraine, the situation there; also the situation in the Middle East, finding a sustainable diplomatic solution concerning the conflict now between Israel and Lebanon; the situation in Gaza, of course; the risk of escalation with Iran. All of those are important issues that I’m sure leaders will discuss.
Q Do you not — forgive me — you’re not getting ahead of them. You just referred to his meeting with the Quad. So I just wanted to clarify so that we get it right in our stories that he’s meeting with the Quad leaders when he’s in Berlin. If not, I’m presuming you wouldn’t have said that they’re meeting.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I can tell you that there is a planned meeting.
Q Okay, great. And my second question had been on the Middle East.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yeah, I think I just answered your second question.
Q You got anything more on that? I mean, can you give us more of an update of what they intend to discuss?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, no, in advance of the meeting, I think I just previewed the topics that they will discuss. I can’t tell you in advance exactly where the conversation is going to go, but it will certainly include a discussion of, as I said, building a sustainable diplomatic solution to the conflict. That includes the conflict between Israel and Lebanon, but then also escalation concerns regarding Iran and the region, and then also the situation in Israel-Gaza. All of those are obviously interconnected in different ways, and I’m sure the leaders will have a chance to discuss that in detail and align their positions on the way forward.
MODERATOR: Thank you. Next up, we’ll go to Nick Schifrin with PBS. Nick, you should be able to unmute yourself.
Q Thanks, Jess. Thanks very much, [senior administration official]. Appreciate it. Can I ask a specific question about the victory plan? Zelenskyy laid it out to the Rada pretty publicly compared to in the past. First point is an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO. It also talks about economic incentives, allowing the West to invest in natural resources. The fifth point is to replace some NATO troops in Europe with Ukrainian troops. And when Yermak gave a speech about it at CFR, he specifically said it would also require the unfreezing of Russian frozen assets.
And I’m wondering if the U.S. supports those aspects of the victory plan and the victory plan overall. Thanks.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: So, what I can tell you is that there is an active conversation about the different elements of the plan that were laid out by President Zelenskyy. He’s been having that conversation with President Biden, both when he presented the plan a few weeks ago and then again today in their phone call. There are certain elements that we are currently fulfilling in terms of providing additional military capability, which is also an element of the plan. I referenced that earlier.
There’s a discussion amongst NATO Allies about an invitation. There is not consensus at this time to offer Ukraine an invitation. But as you know, at the NATO Summit just, what, a couple months ago — in July, mid-July — all 32 Allies affirmed that Ukraine is on an irreversible path to membership. So the question is about the tactics of how to encourage that path and how to gain consensus on the next steps.
In terms of some of the other elements of the plan, you referenced the discussion on critical minerals. You know, I don’t know where other nations will come out on this, but this is an issue that we’re engaging on together with the other elements of the plan.
So, some of these are obviously long-term things that Ukraine would like to see in place over the course of many, many years, perhaps even decades. Others are more short term, especially in terms of some of the military capabilities that they’re looking to secure for themselves right now. And some of that we are already, in fact, actively doing. And so, this is going to be an ongoing conversation.
We want to — the bottom line for the United States and for President Biden is that we want to put Ukraine in a position of strength. We want it to prevail in this war. And we need to give it the capabilities that it needs to do that. But we cannot do that alone. We need to do that with our partners and allies, which is why President Biden had called for a Ramstein Summit, or a leaders-level meeting of what is called formally the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. And we have postponed that, and that will likely take place next month, in November. I don’t have a date to announce for you, but we are looking to hold that meeting next month.
MODERATOR: Thank you. Next up, we’ll go to Josh from the AP. Josh, you should be able to unmute yourself.
Q Hi. Thanks so much for doing this. I was wondering if you could speak to the timing of this meeting, given that it’s so close to the election and that U.S. allies in the past have expressed concerns about the stability of U.S. democracy, as President Biden himself has said in speeches.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, as you know, the bilateral meeting with Germany was planned a week ago, and the President had intended to go then. Obviously, we had Hurricane Milton come up as a major hurricane, threatening a major city in the United States, in Florida, and so the President had to postpone the trip. And so, it’s falling to this Friday.
But, look, I expect that the President, both with President Steinmeier and with Chancellor Scholz, will discuss the importance of democratic values, which, as I mentioned at the top, is really at the root of our bilateral relationship with Germany and where we both have invested considerable amounts — I mean, not just talking financially, but politically, diplomatically — in supporting other democracies around the world, including in places like Ukraine and Moldova, which are really on the frontlines and vulnerable in different ways but where both our countries have invested an enormous amount.
And look — and both countries have also invested in strengthening democratic institutions, election integrity, the fight against misinformation and disinformation, and a range of other topics that are similar. So, I expect that this will come up, and I guess I’ll just leave it at that.
MODERATOR: Thank you. Next up, we’ll go to Stefanie Bolzen. Stefanie, you should be able to unmute yourself.
Q Hello. Can you hear me?
MODERATOR: Yep, loud and clear.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I can hear you just fine, yep.
Q Okay. Thank you very much for doing this briefing. Both the U.S. President and Chancellor Scholz, in their meetings since the war began in Ukraine, have always been emphasizing how much both nations were in lockstep confronting the war in Ukraine. Now, the German Chancellor at times has been very slow taking decisions in terms of military aid to Ukraine. Why do you think the U.S. President has been at times so patient and understanding of the domestic situation of Chancellor Scholz? Thank you.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: So, you’re right that Germany and the United States, and our other NATO Allies as well, have been in lockstep in terms of supporting Ukraine, also in terms of imposing costs on Russia through sanctions, export controls, and other measures, which is an important part of the equation in terms of holding Russia accountable and also helping Ukraine to strengthen itself and ultimately to prevail in this war.
Germany has been a critical partner. It has been the second largest provider of military aid to Ukraine, after the United States, and has provided a number of high-end capabilities, including tanks and other artillery systems. And so, it’s a very important relationship.
We also have worked together to convince other allies and partners to also step up in terms of not just the equipment that they provide to Ukraine, but it’s also critically important right now that Ukraine is able to train its new brigades for the frontlines, that Allies work through this new NATO mission that was stood up as a result of the Washington Summit here in July. It’s called the NATO Support and Training Assistance Ukraine. Clumsy acronym, but that’s essentially a mission that supports training coordination, equipping coordination, force development, and logistics for the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Germany and the United States.
It’s located in Wiesbaden, in Germany, by the way, that mission. And it’s very important in terms of helping Ukraine with the support that it needs to be able to defend itself against this brutal aggression.
And then, Germany, as I said earlier, has also been critical in helping to uphold consensus within the European Union in terms of sanctions. It’s an essential member of the G7 grouping, which, as you know, has pledged to provide a 15 — excuse me — a $50 billion loan to Ukraine, an accelerated revenue loan, which will function essentially as a grant for Ukraine based on frozen assets from Russia that are held overseas.
And so, on any number of different issue areas, we have worked with Germany to hold strong, support Ukraine, and push back on aggression and those actors who would upend the rules-based international order.
MODERATOR: All right, thank you. Next up, we’ll go to Anita Powell with VOA. Anita, you should be able to unmute yourself.
Q Thank you so much. I want to pick up on talk of that $50 billion loan and some of the conversations that European ministers are having about that amid Hungary’s opposition to request it, to extend sanctions.
What role could President Biden play in these discussions? What is he going to advocate when he meets with these other four leaders on this particular issue?
And then, just looking at the — you’d mentioned antisemitism. Do we expect any remarks, any events around that, especially since both countries have seen a rise in antisemitic incidents? Thank you.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yeah, so on the ERA, we’re continuing to talk with all of our G7 partners about how to land this $50 billion loan. I’m confident that we will succeed. There are a lot of technicalities here in terms of assurances and in terms of coordination, and those conversations are occurring within the European Union, which has pledged to contribute up to — I believe it’s 35 billion euros, which is approximately 39 billion dollars. And then, the United States has committed to doing its share as well.
And so, those technical conversations are continuing, but I think leaders will probably cover this in terms of the political will to make this happen by the end of the year. It’s very important that we get this done soon.
And then, sorry, your other question? Oh, antisemitism. Yes.
So, this is an area where the United States and Germany have worked very closely. I believe it’s the 20-year anniversary of the Berlin Conference on Antisemitism, where we have worked in a variety of different issue areas, from combating Holocaust distortion and denial, combating antisemitic speech, and generally on literacy and education around the Holocaust.
So, you know, this is a very short visit on the ground, so I don’t know that there will be an event that is specifically dedicated to this issue, but it’s one that is very important to President Biden and one that he has — that we have discussed with the German government over the years and continue to do so.
MODERATOR: All right, thank you. Next up, we’ll go to Selina Wang. Selina, you should be able to unmute yourself.
Q Hi. Thanks so much for doing this. I just had a question. Given, you know, people have been talking about how the election is just a few weeks away, how is the President going to address the possibility of a change of administration and how that could impact relations with Germany as well as U.S. policy in regards to both the conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, you know, I don’t really — in my current role, I don’t really do politics. Obviously, there will be a change of administration no matter which way the election goes, but, frankly, I don’t see that as a central talking point for the President in his various meetings.
MODERATOR: All right, thank you. And for our last question today, we’ll go to Trudy Rubin with the Philadelphia Inquirer. Trudy, you should be able to unmute yourself.
Q Yes. Thanks very much for doing this. I want to ask something about Ukraine. Clearly, there is a tremendous sense of urgency in Ukraine, with breakthroughs in the east by the Russians; 10,000 North Koreans coming; bombing the grain route from Odessa to Istanbul.
And on the Ukrainian side, there seems to be a feeling that if there isn’t progress on the victory plan immediately, and especially before the November 5th election, there is a real chance that Ukraine could lose this war.
So, I’m wondering if you can comment on whether the same sense of urgency is felt in the White House and will likely be a factor in the coming discussions in Germany, whether there is any sense that Ukraine could lose this war, and if weapons aren’t delivered immediately or sooner, there could be catastrophe.
And just one last part of this question. On long-range fires and U.S. greenlighting them inside Russia, that is very high up on the victory plan list. And a discussion of an invitation to NATO is number one. I know you said there’s no announcement yet on change of policy, but do you think those issues will be high up on the discussion list in Germany?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: So, absolutely, there is a sense of urgency in the White House, and coming from President Biden’s direction at the very top, to do everything that we can to put Ukraine in a position of strength and then ultimately to prevail in this conflict.
And, look, I know that the situation on the frontlines, especially in the Donbas, in Donetsk and Luhansk Oblast, at times is difficult, and this may be one of those times, but we are surging capability precisely to help Ukraine with this effort, as well as training and equipping its new brigade so that it can hold those lines and hopefully reverse some of the trajectory that we’ve seen, as I mentioned, in the Donbas.
I mean, this is not just a war about Ukraine’s independence, its sovereignty, its territorial integrity, and its democratic character, although it is all of those things. But above and beyond that, this is about the world order. It is about the principle that a stronger country cannot just invade another country by force of arms, violate its territorial integrity, violate the sanctity of its borders, and then engage in, frankly, what we have seen — namely war crimes, crimes against humanity on the ground, some of the most barbaric types of assault on the dignity of civilians and combatants alike.
So, there’s a lot at stake. The urgency of the moment is certainly appreciated, which is why the President is leading this effort to supply Ukraine with the equipment that it needs and to, frankly, take seriously all of the elements that are being proposed by the Ukrainians and to work with them on a strategy to secure their victory in this war.
President Biden wants Ukraine to win, and we’re going to resource this effort appropriately. And again, that’s why the President called for this leaders-level meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, or what’s been called the Ramstein Summit — and that meeting will be held in the near future — to elicit the same sort of urgency and contributions from some of our allies and partners so that we can sustain this.
And so, Putin knows that time is not on his side, that time is, in fact, on Ukraine’s side, and that we will stand with Ukraine and give it what it needs to prevail. And so, that is very much at the top of the President’s mind and, frankly, all of our minds here in the National Security Council.
Q Could I just ask a very quick follow-up? The United States has promised, as I understand it — correct me if I’m wrong — two additional Patriot systems to Ukraine, one at the NATO Summit and one since then that was going to be refurbished. Can you tell me whether either of them has been delivered yet?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I am not going to get into the status because I don’t have that at my fingertips, but we can follow up with you.
MODERATOR: All right. Thanks, everyone, for joining today. This is all the time that we have.
As a reminder, this call is on background to a senior administration official, and the contents of this conversation is embargoed until five o’clock tomorrow morning.
As always, if you have any follow-up questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. Looking forward to hearing from anyone who has questions. Thanks.
4:39 P.M. EDT
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