German President Makes Surprise Visit to Washington

Oct. 7, 2023, (EIRNS)—Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived in Washington, D.C. yesterday, following an invitation by U.S. President Joe Biden.

The trip to Washington came as a surprise, because on Oct. 5, Steinmeier was still in Cape Verde, where he had just completed a two-day state visit. From there, he had planned to fly to Portugal to attend a meeting of non-executive presidents of the European Union in Porto. But an invitation from Biden caused Steinmeier to change his plans.

This is the first time the two have met as heads of state, although they know each other well from earlier times—when Steinmeier was still Foreign Minister and Biden was first a U.S. Senator and then Vice President.

The German President has confirmed that he has also met with CIA Director William Burns at its headquarters in Langley, Virginia. About their conversation, Steinmeier would only say that they discussed “current conflicts and geopolitical changes.”

The White House readout read:

“The two Presidents marked the occasion of German-American Day, celebrating the significant contributions of German-Americans as well as the strength of our bilateral relationship as NATO Allies and close partners. President Biden also offered congratulations on Germany’s Unity Day, which was celebrated earlier this week. The presidents discussed their countries’ ongoing efforts to provide Ukraine with security, economic, and humanitarian assistance.”

The Presidents also issued a joint statement that was largely nonsense, leaving the only honesty that the purpose of their meeting was “building on our shared history, common values, and work together as NATO Allies, our partnership is essential ... for our continuing efforts to support the people of Ukraine and their courageous defense of their country, their freedom, and their future.”