WASHINGTON
\nWorld leaders lined up to pay tribute to Joe Biden after he announced Sunday he was dropping out of the US presidential race.
\nBiden notified the public of his decision in a letter, a stunning move that upends the 2024 race for the White House. He endorsed Vice President Kamala
\nHarris as the Democratic Party\u2019s new nominee.
\nUkrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Biden for taking \u201cbold steps\u201d in supporting his country, praising the US president\u2019s \u201ctough but strong decision\u201d to end his reelection bid.
\n\u201cHe supported our country during the most dramatic moment in history, assisted us in preventing (Russian President Vladimir) Putin from occupying our country, and has continued to support us throughout this terrible war,\u201d he said. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk praised Biden for taking \u201cmany difficult decisions thanks to which Poland, America and the world are safer, and democracy stronger.\u201d
\n\u201cI know you were driven by the same motivations when announcing your final decision. Probably the most difficult one in your life,\u201d added Tusk, who served as the European Council president between 2014 and 2019.
\n\u201cI know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, he will have made his decision based on what he believes is best for the American people,\u201d said Starmer. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also paid tribute to \u201cmy friend\u201d.
\n\u201cJoe Biden has achieved a lot: for his country, for Europe, for the world,\u201d he said. \u201cHis decision not to run again deserves respect.\u201d Israel\u2019s Defence
\nMinister Yoav Gallant thanked Biden for his \u201cunwavering support of Israel over the years\u201d.
\nHe added: \u201cYour steadfast backing, especially during the war, has been invaluable. We are grateful for your leadership and friendship.\u201d
\nJapan\u2019s premier said he recognised that Biden\u2019s announcement is one \u201che feels is the best political decision he can make.\u201d \u201cThe Japan-US alliance is the cornerstone of our country\u2019s diplomacy and security, so we will monitor the situation closely,\u201d Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said.
\nAustralian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked Biden \u201cfor your leadership and ongoing service.
\n\u201cThe 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.\u201d Venezuela\u2019s President Nicolas Maduro told Biden \u201cto be at ease with your conscience because you took the sensible and correct decision.\u201d
\n\u201cHe prioritised his family, his health and he realised at that age, with failing health, he couldn\u2019t take the reins of his country, much less a presidential candidacy,\u201d said Maduro, who is preparing for presidential polls this month. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also thanked Biden for his years of service.
\n\u201cHe\u2019s a great man, and everything he does is guided by his love for his country,\u201d he said. \u201cAs president, he is a partner to Canadians \u2014 and a true friend. To President Biden and the First Lady: thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WASHINGTON World leaders lined up to pay tribute to Joe Biden after he announced Sunday he was dropping out of the US presidential race. Biden notified the public of his decision in a letter, a stunning move that upends the 2024 race for the White House. He endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":419997,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-419974","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n