Foreign leaders react to Biden's decision not to seek reelection

World leaders watching the U.S. election have started to react to the decision by President Biden on Sunday not to seek reelection, discussing their relationships with the U.S. president and offering thoughts on his decision. 

U.K. Prime Minister Keir 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," Starmer wrote.

In a statement on social media addressed directly to President Biden, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Mr. Biden's "many difficult decisions" had helped keep Poland, America and the world safe 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," Tusk wrote.

The difficulty of the president's decision was also highlighted by Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala. "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," Fiala wrote on social media. "I am keeping my fingers crossed for the USA that a good president emerges from the democratic competition of two strong and equal candidates."

Ireland's deputy premier Michael Martin said he heard of Mr. Biden's decision "with both sadness and admiration." Biden, whose family has roots in the country, was warmly welcomed when he visited Ireland last year.

"This has no doubt been the toughest of calls, but one done, as ever, with dignity & class. I know that the people of Ireland will wish President Biden the very best," Martin wrote Sunday on social media.

Ireland's prime minister, Taoiseach Simon Harris, also thanked Mr. Biden in a statement shared on social media, crediting the U.S. president as "a voice for reason, effective multilateralism and shared solutions." 

He pointed to Mr. Biden's leadership on the Russia-Ukraine war and said he had spoken with the president about plans for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict, calling him "an unwavering voice and passionate worker for peace on the island of Ireland." 

During his 2023 visit, Biden "relayed the words of his parents that 'everyone is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect.' Anyone who knows or has watched Joe Biden knows that these are more than words to him but the way he has always conducted himself in public and private life," Ireland's prime minister said.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog thanked Mr. Biden "for his friendship and steadfast support for the Israeli people over his decades long career," in a statement on social media. Biden has faced pressure from within his party over the Israel-Hamas conflict. 

"As the first US 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. 

And Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country is "grateful to President 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. And we respect today's tough but strong decision."

Some politicians, such as Zelenskyy and Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Union Commission, invoked issues facing the international community. Von der Leyen said in a statement on social media about his withdrawal, "The EU and US are partners, friends and allies. We face common challenges together — in Europe, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific." 

"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 said. "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."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia's military objectives in Ukraine were more important than the U.S. presidential race. 

"For us, reaching the goals of the special military operation is a priority, rather than the outcome of the U.S. elections," Peskov said. Under Mr. Biden, the U.S. has sent supplies and weapons to Ukraine to aid in its defense against Russia's invasion, even as Republican lawmakers have sought to block proposed aid.

Dmitry Medvedev, former president of Russia and deputy chairman of the Security Council of Russia, wrote on Telegram that he wished Mr. Biden good health, adding that Russia's military goals would be achieved.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on social media, "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. To President Biden and the First Lady: thank you." 

In a statement, Australian Prime Minister Albanese commended Mr. Biden's service, noting "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.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also spoke of the U.S.' international cooperation, saying thanks to Mr. Biden, "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."

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon wrote, "President Biden has dedicated his life to public service, and that is something that deserves much respect. I thank the President for his leadership of the United States and his commitment to New Zealand. And I look forward to working with him for the remainder of his presidency."

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• Joe Biden

Allison Elyse Gualtieri

Allison Elyse Gualtieri is a Senior News Editor for CBSNews.com, working on a wide variety of subjects including crime, longer-form features and feel-good news. She previously worked for the Washington Examiner and U.S. News and World Report, among other outlets.