Biden heading to Berlin for talks on defense, trade and Ukraine

BERLIN — President Joe Biden is leaving Washington for Germany on Thursday morning in what will be one of the last opportunities to outline his vision for foreign policy before the election next month.

After landing in Berlin, Biden will be greeted with full military honors Friday before receiving the country’s highest Order of Merit from President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, his office said.

Biden is being awarded the Grand Cross special class for “recognition of his contributions to both the German-American friendship and the transatlantic bond, which he has played a key role in shaping through all of the offices he has held over the last five decades,” Steinmeier’s office said a press statement.

Biden will be in Berlin for less than 24 hours and, according to a senior administration official, will also meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to discuss shared military goals as well as economic and trade priorities. The president is also expected to announce a new exchange program and an initiative to drive private investment in emerging technologies in the U.S. and Germany.

The meeting with Scholz comes just months after the German leader played a key role in the multi-nation prisoner swap that brought journalist Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan home from lengthy prison sentences in Russia.

Biden met with Scholz at the White House in February to discuss releasing a Russian hitman serving a life sentence in Germany for murder in an exchange. After years of refusing U.S. prodding to trade the Russian, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris separately convinced Scholz earlier this year. The deal ultimately led to 24 prisoners from seven countries being traded.

The senior administration official called Scholz’s actions bold decision-making, adding that Biden’s “visit this week is really a testament to this partnership.”

Biden’s trip to Berlin is expected to culminate with a meeting also including leaders from France and Britain, with a major focus on support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia, and the conflict in the Middle East.

On Wednesday, Biden announced a $425 million aid package for Ukraine that includes air-to-ground munitions and armored vehicles, and promised more defense systems and supplies in the months to come.