Biden leaves Vice President Harris to discuss world peace, travels to Los Angeles for fundraising efforts
Vice President Kamala Harris, not President Joe Biden, attended a summit on Ukraine in Switzerland on Saturday where she met with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss his country’s vision for ending the war with Russia.
Upon her arrival at a resort overlooking Lake Lucerne, Harris announced an additional $1.5 billion in U.S. assistance for Ukrainians through the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development. This aid includes funding for energy assistance, repairing damaged energy infrastructure, assisting refugees, and enhancing civilian security.
On the other hand, Biden recently concluded three days at the Group of Seven summit in Italy, where he engaged in discussions with Zelenskyy before heading to Los Angeles for a fundraiser with celebrities like George Clooney and Julia Roberts.
Biden’s decision to skip the summit in Ukraine underscores the challenges he faces as he navigates an election year while managing a complex domestic and foreign policy agenda. It also highlights the increasing prominence of Harris as the 2024 campaign gains momentum.
Although Biden chose not to attend the summit, Harris, accompanied by White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, represented the administration in Switzerland where topics of discussion included energy security, economic development, and military cooperation.
The talks at the summit focused on key issues such as food security, nuclear security, and the repatriation of prisoners and children captured during the war. While Russia was not present at the gathering, Putin proposed a cease-fire in Ukraine with certain conditions that were deemed manipulative and absurd by Ukrainian officials.
Despite Biden’s absence, the U.S. has continued to show support for Ukraine through various initiatives, including financial aid packages, military training, and the easing of restrictions on using American weaponry against Russian attacks.
As the 2024 campaign unfolds in the U.S., Ukrainian officials are monitoring the situation with uncertainty regarding the future of U.S. support in their conflict with Russia. Trump’s stance on providing military aid to Ukraine has evolved over time, reflecting the ongoing debate within the U.S. about supporting Ukraine’s fight for independence.
Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of ongoing unity and support from the U.S. and European leaders in order to maintain democracy and resist external aggression.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
