During a meeting with European Council President Donald Tusk, Vice President Joe Biden addressed various global challenges and emphasized the importance of U.S.-EU cooperation. The meeting highlighted the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where Biden expressed concern over Russia's actions. "The fact is the President is correct, Ukraine is fighting for their very survival right now," he stated, noting Russia's escalation of the conflict.
Biden underscored the necessity for financial support to Ukraine from both the United States and Europe as they pursue reforms amidst military pressures. He mentioned his frequent visits to Ukraine and his interactions with its leaders, asserting that "they are doing all in their power to keep faith with the commitments they made."
The Vice President also touched upon energy security issues and how Russia has used energy as a foreign policy tool. He commended Tusk's vision for Europe's energy security and looked forward to further discussions on this matter.
Addressing violent extremism, Biden referred to recent terrorist attacks in Brussels and Paris as evidence of the threat faced by both continents. He affirmed America's commitment to collaborating closely with Europe to counter ISIL, saying, "We have to continue to degrade the group’s resources, their capacity, their finances; alleviate the humanitarian suffering caused by the terrorists."
Economic resilience was another key topic during the meeting. Biden highlighted efforts to boost domestic demand and create jobs in Europe while enhancing trade relations across the Atlantic. He noted progress towards a comprehensive trade agreement between Europe and America.
Biden concluded by emphasizing that relations between Europe and the United States are vital for global engagement: "Mr. President, you’ve said, relations between Europe and the United States are the backbone of the community of democracies." He reiterated that this partnership is crucial for addressing complex global challenges.