WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — President Joe Biden is set to travel to Germany Thursday but will delay his visit to Angola until December, the White House announced, rescheduling diplomatic trips postponed so he could oversee his administration’s response to Hurricane Milton.
In Berlin, Biden will convene a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to discuss continued support for Ukraine.
“[Biden] felt very strongly about this trip, about one of our partners, allies that has been steadfast — certainly in partnership as it relates to Ukraine’s defense — and the president really wanted to make sure to go to Germany to thank Chancellor Scholz directly,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. “That was one of the reasons to do that trip.”
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The Biden administration released a $425 million security assistance package for Ukraine’s defense against Russia on Wednesday following a phone call between Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier in the day. The package includes “additional air defense capability, air-to-ground munitions, armored vehicles, and critical munitions,” according to a readout of the call.
Zelenskyy, in a post on X, thanked Biden for his “unwavering support” to the war-torn country.
“President Biden’s leadership in uniting the world and America’s strong bipartisan support have been crucial in helping Ukraine stand firm and defend our independence,” Zelenskyy wrote. “I am grateful to President Biden, both parties in Congress, and the American people for the $425 million defense package announced today, which includes new air defense systems and long-range weapons.”
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Biden previously pledged an estimated $8 billion worth of military assistance for Ukraine before he left the White House in January, calling it a “top priority” of his administration to provide Ukraine with what it needs to prevail in its war against Russia.
The first week of December, Biden will travel to Luanda, Angola, fulfilling his promise to visit Africa as commander in chief. Biden will be the first U.S. president to visit sub-Saharan Africa since Barack Obama in 2015.
Biden will “celebrate the transformation of the U.S.-Angola relationship, recognize Angola’s role as a strategic partner and regional leader, and discuss increased collaboration on security, health, and economic partnerships,” the White House said.
