Here are some of the reactions to Biden's departure from around the world:
Israel
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed his gratitude to Biden for his “friendship and steadfast support for the Israeli people throughout his decades-long career.”
“As the first American president to visit Israel in wartime, as a recipient of the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, and as a true ally of the Jewish people, he is a symbol of the unbreakable bond between our two peoples,” Herzog said in a post on X.
Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country respected Biden's “tough but strong decision” and was grateful for his “unwavering support” in its fight to repel the Russian invasion.
“We will always be grateful for President Biden’s leadership. He stood by our country during the most dramatic moment in history, helped us prevent Putin from occupying our country, and has continued to support us during this terrible war,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X.
“The current situation in Ukraine and across Europe is no less challenging, and we sincerely hope that continued strong U.S. leadership will prevent Russian evil from triumphing or its aggression from bearing fruit.”
Ukraine thanks President Biden for his unwavering support for Ukraine's struggle for freedom, which, along with strong bipartisan support in the United States, has been and remains critical.
Many important decisions have been made in recent years and will be…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 21, 2024
Russia
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was more focused on winning the war in Ukraine than on the outcome of the US election.
“For us, achieving the objectives of the special military operation [against Ukraine] “This is a priority, more than the outcome of the US elections,” Peskov told state media.
United Kingdom
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he respected Biden's decision and looked forward to working with him for the remainder of his presidency.
“I know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, he will have made his decision based on what he believes is best for the American people,” Starmer said in X.
Canada
Canadian Prime Minister Justice Trudeau praised Biden as a “great man” whose actions were “guided by his love for his country.”
“As president, you are a partner to Canadians and a true friend. To President Biden and the First Lady: thank you,” Trudeau said on X.
I have known President Biden for years. He is a great man and everything he does is guided by his love for his country. As President, he is a partner to Canadians and a true friend.
To President Biden and the First Lady: Thank you. image.twitter.com/5mQvFn8INn
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 21, 2024
Australia
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his gratitude to Biden for his leadership and “continued service.”
“The Australia-US alliance has never been stronger with our shared commitment to democratic values, international security, economic prosperity and climate action for this and future generations,” Albanese said at X.
Germany
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said his “friend” Biden had achieved a lot “for his country, for Europe, for the world.”
“Thanks to him, transatlantic cooperation is close, NATO is strong and the United States is a good and reliable partner for us. His decision not to run again deserves recognition,” Scholz said in X.
My friend @POTUS Joe Biden has a big mistake: for his land, for Europe, the world. Dank ihm is die transatlantische Zusammenarbeit eng, the NATO stark, die USA ein guter und verlässlicher Partner für uns. Sein Entschluss of him, nicht noch einmal zu kandidieren, verdedient Anerkennung.
— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) July 21, 2024
Spain
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Biden had made a “brave and dignified decision.”
“Thanks to its determination and leadership, the United States overcame the economic crisis following the pandemic and the serious assault on the Capitol and has been exemplary in its support for Ukraine in the face of Putin’s Russian aggression,” Sánchez said in X.
“A great gesture from a great president who has always fought for democracy and freedom.”
Poland
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk praised Biden for making “many difficult decisions that have made Poland, the United States and the world safer and democracy stronger.”
“I know that you were motivated by the same motivations when you announced your final decision, probably the most difficult of your life,” Tusk said in X.
Czech Republic
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said Biden's decision was that of a “statesman who has served his country for decades.”
“It is a responsible and difficult step on a personal level, but it is even more valuable. I have my fingers crossed that the United States will have a good president from the democratic competition between two strong and equal candidates,” said Fiala.
Ireland
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris praised Biden as a “voice of reason, effective multilateralism and shared solutions.”
“Joe Biden, in every office he has held, has always been an unwavering voice and passionate worker for peace on the island of Ireland and our country owes him a great debt for this,” Harris said in a statement.
My statement on the President of the United States @Joe Biden. image.twitter.com/5WltCqip06
— Simon Harris, technical director (@SimonHarrisTD) July 21, 2024
