UPDATE - World leaders bid farewell to Biden’s presidency

UPDATES WITH MORE STATEMENTS BY WORLD LEADERS, CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK AND LEDE

By Merve Berker

World leaders on Sunday expressed their thoughts on US President Joe Biden’s decision not to run in the next presidential election and bid him farewell.

“I respect President Biden's decision and I look forward to us working together during the remainder of his presidency,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on X.

“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,” he added.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote on X: “All my admiration and recognition for the brave and dignified decision of the president @JoeBiden.”

“Thanks to its determination and leadership, the US overcame the economic crisis after 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,” he said.

“A great gesture from a great president who has always fought for democracy and freedom,” Sanchez noted.

Simon Harris, the prime minister of Ireland, posted a written statement on X, thanking Biden for his “global leadership” and “friendship.”

Mentioning that “the world has changed” since the time Biden took the Oval Office, Harris said the US president “has been a voice for reason, effective multilateralism and shared solutions.”

“Joe Biden, in all the offices 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,” he stressed.

Harris further wished the Biden couple and their family success, adding: “I look forward to working with you for the remainder of your Presidency.”

Separately, Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk called on Biden on X: “You’ve taken many difficult decisions thanks to which Poland, America and the world are safer, and democracy stronger.”

“I know you were driven by the same motivations when announcing your final decision. Probably the most difficult one in your life,” he added.

Petr Fiala, the prime minister of the Czech Republic, also wrote on X: “It is undoubtedly the decision of a statesman who has served his country for decades.”

“It is a responsible and personally difficult step, but it is all the more valuable,” he said, noting: “I am keeping my fingers crossed for the USA that a good president emerges from the democratic competition of two strong and equal candidates.”

-‘Unwavering support for Ukraine’

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said earlier on Monday that his country became a member of NATO with the US president’s “strong support and contribution.”

“As a close ally, I will work with the US president before and after the elections,” Stubb was quoted as saying by the national broadcaster YLE.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X: “My friend @POTUS Joe Biden has achieved a lot: for his country, for Europe, for the world.”

“Thanks to him, transatlantic cooperation is close, NATO is strong and the USA is a good and reliable partner for us. His decision not to run again deserves respect,” he pointed out.

Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, said on X: “I’ve known President Biden for years.”

“He’s 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,” he stated, adding his thanks to the Biden couple.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed on X how “grateful” his country is to Biden “for his unwavering support for Ukraine's fight for freedom, which, along with strong bipartisan support in the United States, has been and continues to be critical.”

“Many strong decisions have been made in recent years and they will be remembered as bold steps taken by President Biden in response to challenging times,” he said, adding: “And we respect today's tough but strong decision.”

“He supported our country during the most dramatic moment in history, assisted us in preventing Putin from occupying our country, and has continued to support us throughout this terrible war,” Zelenskyy noted.

He further added: “The current situation in Ukraine and all of Europe is no less challenging, and we sincerely hope that America's continued strong leadership will prevent Russian evil from succeeding or making its aggression pay off.”

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio also expressed at a press conference that he believed Biden's decision was the most prudent political move possible.

He emphasized the importance of the Japan-US alliance, describing it as the foundation of Japan's diplomatic and security strategies, and stated that Japan would be monitoring the developments closely.

Biden's candidacy has been in the spotlight following his dismal performance against former President Donald Trump in a presidential debate late last month.

Facing mounting pressure, Biden, 81, said in a letter that it has been "the greatest honor" of his life to serve as president,

“And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term," he added.

*Leila Nezirevic contributed to this report from London