MOSCOW, July 22 (Bernama-Sputnik) -- European leaders commend US President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, reported Sputnik.
On Sunday, Biden said he would withdraw from the presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party's nominee for US president.
"My friend 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," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on X on Sunday.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that Biden's "brave and dignified" decision to drop out of the race evokes admiration and recognition.
"I respect President Biden's decision and I look forward to us working together during the remainder of his presidency," UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on X.
At the same time, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze also expressed "highest respect" to Biden for "this difficult decision."
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has praised Biden for making a decision based on what he believed to be in “the best interest of the American people” after the US president withdrew his re-election bid, reported PA Media/dpa news.
Responding to Biden’s decision, Starmer said: “I respect President Biden’s decision and I look forward to us working together during the remainder of his presidency.
“I know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, President Biden will have made his decision based on what he believes is in the best interests of the American people.”
Former prime minister Rishi Sunak praised Joe Biden’s “love for America and dedication to service”.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Sunak said: “Working with Joe Biden, I saw firsthand his love for America and dedication to service. “I wish him all the best.”
In Dublin, Prime Minister Simon Harris thanked Biden for his friendship with the Irish nation after the US president withdrew his re-election bid.
Harris said Biden had 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 said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he respected Joe Biden's "tough but strong decision" not to run for another presidential term in the United States.
“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. And we respect today's tough but strong decision," Zelensky wrote on social media platform X.
Zelensky was grateful to Biden for his "unwavering support for Ukraine's fight for freedom," he wrote.
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