World leaders lined up to pay tribute to US President Joe Biden on Sunday, July 21, after he announced he was dropping out of the US presidential race, even as Republicans called on him to step down from the job before the end of his term.
"We respect today's tough but strong decision," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a post on the social platform X. "We will always be thankful for President Biden’s leadership. He supported our country during the most dramatic moment in history, assisted us in preventing Putin from occupying our country, and has continued to support us throughout this terrible war."
"You've taken many difficult decisions thanks to which Poland, America and the world are safer, and democracy stronger," said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. "I know you were driven by the same motivations when announcing your final decision. Probably the most difficult one in your life," added Tusk, who served as the European Council president between 2014 and 2019.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he respected Biden's decision, adding: "I look forward to us working together during the remainder of his presidency. "I 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," he wrote on X.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also paid tribute to Biden's legacy. "My friend @POTUS Joe Biden has achieved a lot: for his country, for Europe, for the world," he wrote on X. "His decision not to run again deserves respect."
Israeli President Isaac Herzog thanked him for his decades of support. "I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to @POTUS Joe Biden for his friendship and steadfast support for the Israeli people over his decades long career," Herzog, whose role is largely ceremonial, wrote on social media.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also thanked Biden for his years of service. "I've known President Biden for years," he wrote on X. "He's a great man, and everything he does is guided by his love for his country. As President, he is a partner to Canadians - and a true friend. To President Biden and the First Lady: thank you."
Former president Barack Obama, with whom Biden served two terms as vice-president, praised his record in office as president. "Internationally, he restored America's standing in the world, revitalized NATO, and mobilized the world to stand up against Russian aggression in Ukraine," he said. While he had every right to run for reelection, Biden's decision to drop out of the race was testament to his "love of country", Obama added.
But even as world leaders paid tribute to his performance on the world stage, leading Republicans were insisting he was unfit to remain president. "If Joe Biden is not fit to run for president, he is not fit to serve as president," said a statement from House Speaker Mike Johnson, the top Republican in Congress. "He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough," he added. Former president Donald Trump, who is running for the presidency again, wrote on his Truth Social network: "Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve."