Trump and Biden Discuss Ukraine, Middle East in ‘Cordial’ White House Meeting
WASHINGTON, Nov 13 (Reuters) – In a gesture of political civility and transition, U.S. President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump met on Wednesday to discuss critical national security and foreign policy issues, particularly concerning Ukraine and the Middle East. Despite their well-known rivalry, the two leaders appeared composed as they sat side-by-side in the White House’s Oval Office, symbolizing a peaceful transfer of power.
A Constructive Dialogue on National Security White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre described the two-hour conversation as “cordial, gracious, and substantive.” Biden, 81, emphasized his stance on supporting Ukraine, arguing that it enhances U.S. security by stabilizing Europe and reducing the likelihood of American involvement in a European war. Meanwhile, Trump, 78, reiterated his campaign promise to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict swiftly, though he has not provided specific details on how he intends to achieve this.
In an interview with the New York Post, Trump mentioned a detailed discussion with Biden on Middle East issues, saying, “I wanted to know his views on where we are, and he was very gracious in sharing them.” Trump’s incoming administration will take office on Jan. 20.
Ensuring a Smooth Transition Both leaders underscored their commitment to a smooth transition. Biden welcomed Trump warmly, saying, “Looking forward to having a smooth transition – doing everything we can to accommodate you and ensure you have what you need.” Trump reciprocated, expressing gratitude for the gesture and describing the transition as “smooth as it can get.”
The meeting also included White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients and Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles. First Lady Jill Biden greeted Trump upon arrival and presented him with a handwritten letter congratulating Melania Trump, indicating her readiness to assist with the transition. Melania Trump, however, did not attend the meeting.
Partial Delays in Transition Process Despite the positive display, the transition process has encountered some delays. The White House noted that Trump’s team has yet to finalize agreements necessary for securing office space, equipment, and access to government officials and information, a requirement under the Presidential Transition Act. Brian Vance, a spokesperson for Trump’s transition team, confirmed that discussions are ongoing between Trump and Biden’s legal teams.
Valerie Smith Boyd, an expert on presidential transitions, emphasized the importance of this agreement to ensure a smooth transition. “That needs to be signed for interaction with federal agencies to begin. Everything is hinging on that,” Boyd explained.
Celebrating Republican Wins Earlier in the day, Trump celebrated his election victory and the projected Republican majority in the House of Representatives. Joined by Republican lawmakers and entrepreneur Elon Musk, Trump expressed enthusiasm, saying, “Isn’t it nice to win? The House did very well.” With this majority, Trump’s party is poised to control both chambers of Congress.
This meeting marked the first substantial encounter between Biden and Trump since their debate in June. In September, the two appeared alongside Vice President Kamala Harris at a memorial event in New York, commemorating the victims of the 9/11 attacks.
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