For the first time in office…Biden visits Germany and will discuss the Russia-Ukraine war and the situation in the Middle East with Scholz

On the evening of October 17, President Joe Biden arrived at Berlin’s Schönefeld Airport aboard Air Force One, marking his first official visit to Germany during his presidency. The discussions are expected to focus on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s victory plans and the situation in the Middle East, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz among the key figures in attendance.

German news outlet Tagesschau described this visit as a blend of both “inauguration and farewell.” The last U.S. president to make a bilateral visit to Germany was Barack Obama, who did so eight years ago.

Initially, Biden had planned to land in Germany on October 9 for a multi-day state visit, which included a trip with Scholz to the Ramstein U.S. Air Base in Rheinland-Pfalz for a summit regarding Ukraine. This visit marks a significant occasion as Biden will be the first U.S. president to conduct a state visit to Germany since Ronald Reagan in 1985.

However, due to Hurricane Milton impacting Florida, the White House announced a postponement of Biden’s trip. It is now officially classified as a working visit, significantly reducing the itinerary, with Biden scheduled to spend less than 24 hours in Berlin.

On October 18, Biden will visit Bellevue Palace to receive military honors from German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who will also host a state dinner. Steinmeier is set to award Biden the Federal Republic of Germany’s Medal of Merit. Following this ceremonial welcome, Biden will engage in bilateral talks with Scholz.

Before returning to the U.S. on the evening of October 18, Biden is also expected to participate in a quadrilateral meeting with Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The leaders of four of NATO’s most powerful nations will convene to discuss Zelenskyy’s victory plans and the evolving situations in the Middle East.