Biden to Storm France Beaches, but Not for Vacation
President Joe Biden is set to attend the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, delivering a commemorative speech at Pointe-du-Hoc. Of course, this is less about remembering his past spring break shenanigans and more about honoring the sacrifices of Allied forces during World War II.
While Biden won't be packing sunscreen and beach chairs, he will be aiming to deepen ties with transatlantic allies. Biden will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron for a state visit, likely discussing matters more significant than the best croissant in Paris. They might even tackle topics as heavy as Indo-Pacific cooperation, clean energy investments, nuclear energy capacity, and the safety measures for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. Perhaps they'll even make time to debate whether "Emily in Paris" accurately depicts the French capital.
Adding to the diplomatic itinerary, Biden will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Normandy and later at the G7 Summit in Italy. This comes amid a critical phase in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as Ukraine continues to strike targets within Russia using Western-supplied weaponry. Let's just say it's not exactly a Marvel movie they're filming over there.
Speaking of financial contributions, the United States has sent a whopping $175 billion to Ukraine since Russia's 2022 invasion. Comparatively, the European Union has contributed $53 billion in direct financial assistance and $35 billion in military aid. Together, those numbers are enough to make one wonder if they're funding a country or buying a small planet.
Biden's engagements in France will underscore the importance of American leadership on the global stage. This is not just about showing off his European vacation photos, but also about ensuring that the U.S. continues to be the world's guiding force, or at least its most prolific speech-giver. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby emphasized the need for European support to bolster American leadership, effectively turning a state visit into an extended therapy session for Western allies.
Moreover, President Biden's discussions will also explore the possibility of using frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine reconstruct. This should put a smile on Zelenskyy's face, as long as he's not overly concerned about potential spoilers in the Great Game of Global Politics.
However, it's not all smooth sailing for Biden and his entourage. There's a bit of a divergence between the U.S. and its allies concerning the Israel-Hamas conflict. While this might not sour the croissants entirely, it will add an extra layer of complexity to the already intricate diplomatic discussions.
No modern presidential visit would be complete without a few nods to current events, like the ongoing focus on Indo-Pacific cooperation. Given the United States' strategic interests in countering China's influence, this is about as thrilling as foreign policy gets—think less James Bond, more 900-page trade agreements.
Biden's France visit will also include pledges in clean energy investments, aiming to make the planet greener and debates about climate change slightly less redundant. Even nuclear energy capacity is on the agenda, because nothing says "let's get along" quite like atom-splitting technology.
As the cherry on top, Biden's time in France will highlight the importance of security for the 2024 Paris Olympics. After all, nobody wants disruptions during an event where synchronized swimmers and shot-putters share the global stage.
In summary, President Biden's trip to Normandy might seem like a nostalgic stroll down WWII memory lane, but it's designed as a strategic effort to bolster transatlantic alliances, reassert American leadership, and manage complex global issues from Ukraine to clean energy. All of this without spilling a single drop of wine, ensuring that his time in France is anything but a vacation.