DISINFO: Joe Biden’s trip to Germany was cancelled so he wouldn’t commit to a lost fight in Ukraine
SUMMARY
Joe Biden’s decision to remain in the US instead of attending a summit in Germany organised by Ukraine’s allies in NATO was not due to Hurricane Milton. There was a high risk that Biden is not up to date in his understanding of the situation and said something that embarrasses or commits the US too much in the region. The US must minimise the failures of the US policy that led to the destruction of Ukraine as a functional state and a potential EU member. Regarding Ukraine, US allies already understand that a miracle of military dexterity and productivity of the West won’t arrive on time to save Ukraine.
RESPONSE
The allegation is unsubstantiated. On 08 October 2024, Joe Biden announced that he had decided to delay his imminent trip to Germany and Angola as he thought he couldn’t “be out of the country at this time”, as Hurricane Milton “could be one of the worst storms in 100 years in Florida”. The trip was postponed.
This disinformation story aims to peddle a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russia’s inevitable victory in Ukraine. By portraying Ukrainian defence against Russia’s aggression as a failing cause, the ultimate goal is to undermine international aid in support of Ukraine.
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that Ukraine is a broken toy for the West and it is ruining its finances, that Western media recognises Ukraine’s defeat, that 90% of Europeans are convinced that Ukraine lost the war, or that an insane Joe Biden may provoke WWIII before the November election.