US, EU show united front on Israel, Ukraine

WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden and European Union leaders delivered a message of unity Friday (Saturday, Manila time) on the Israel-Hamas and Ukraine wars, despite worries that political paralysis in Washington could hamper US aid for its allies.

"These conflicts show democracies must stand together," European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen told reporters as she and European Council chief Charles Michel met Biden at the White House.

The EU-US summit takes place against a backdrop of global crises, as Ukraine battles Russian forces while Israel gears up for an invasion of Gaza after the October 7 surprise attack by Hamas.

The American and European leaders were keen to present a united front, seeking to strengthen their "strategic partnership."

Biden — who on Thursday drew a direct link between the two conflicts as he urged Americans to back a $106 billion aid package including military assistance for Ukraine and Israel — said the EU and US "stood together."

"We stood together to support the brave people of Ukraine in the face of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's aggression," Biden said. "We're standing together now to support Israel in the wake of Hamas's appalling terrorist attack." 

Michel said the EU and US were "forging a united front."

"Today, the world faces enormous challenges. And today, more than ever, the world needs a strong EU-US alliance to tackle these challenges," added the Belgian.

Said von der Leyen: "The events in the Middle East will not distract us from our rock-solid support to Ukraine."

EU leaders were looking for reassurance of continued US support for Ukraine, which is fighting to repel the Russian invasion launched in February 2022.

The United States is by far the biggest supplier of military aid to Ukraine.

The joint statement released at the conclusion of the summit noted the two sides were "concerned by the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza."

"It is crucial to prevent regional escalation," such as a new front with Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah movement, they said.

Biden, who has just returned from a visit to Tel Aviv, addressed Americans on Thursday evening in a bid to convince voters and Republicans to back the