Germany confirms Biden visit and Ukraine allies meeting

Germany said Friday that US President Joe Biden will travel to the country October 10-12 and would host an international meeting to discuss military support for Ukraine.

Germany was “happy” to host Biden for what has been billed as a goodbye visit ahead of the US presidential election in November, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s spokesman Steffen Hebestreit told a press conference.

“I can confirm that as part of the visit a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group… will be convened,” Hebestreit said.

The military meeting is expected on October 12 at the US air base in Ramstein near Frankfurt and is expected to bring together more than 50 of Ukraine’s allies.

The last meeting, also at Ramstein, was attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who appealed for additional weapons to repel advancing Russian forces. Hebestreit did not confirm whether Zelenskyy would attend again in October.

The gathering will come at a crucial juncture for Ukraine ahead of the US election, which could upend the support that Kyiv receives from its biggest backer. Republican candidate Donald Trump has long been critical of the billions of dollars the United States has given to Ukraine and has echoed Russian talking points about the conflict.

Hebestreit said that as well as talks with Scholz, Biden’s trip would also include a meeting with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.