Biden and Trump meet at White House, discuss Ukraine, Middle East conflicts

The acting and president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden and Donald Trump, met in the Oval Office on Wednesday, discussing pressing international and domestic issues as part of the post-election transition. This meeting follows Trump’s recent electoral victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the November 5 presidential election.

A White House spokesperson, Karine Jean-Pierre, described the two-hour meeting as focused on significant matters of US national security, particularly regarding the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. In a statement to the New York Post following the meeting, Trump shared that he and Biden exchanged views on both crises, though he withheld specific details.

The conflict in Ukraine, now nearing its third year, continues as Russian forces persist in their large-scale invasion. Meanwhile, the Middle East faces intensifying hostilities, with Israel locked in warfare with Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Both groups are backed by Iran and designated as terrorist organizations by the United States.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan emphasized that Biden reiterated his call for continued US support for Ukraine, cautioning that a cessation of aid could lead to greater instability in Europe. At a briefing following the Oval Office discussion, Sullivan said Biden stressed that assisting Ukraine aligns with US national security interests, supporting a stable Europe resistant to external aggression.

Trump, however, has frequently criticized the Biden administration’s extensive military aid to Ukraine, asserting during his campaign that he could bring the war to a swift conclusion if elected, although he has yet to present a specific plan.

The 78-year-old Trump will be inaugurated on January 20, 2025, marking his return to the White House as the nation prepares for a new chapter in US leadership.