Joe Biden skipped a key meeting with the German Chancellor on the Ukraine issue; according to a report he had to go to bed early

The news pertaining to President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline is not new, according to many in the White House. Wall Street Journal has reported that Biden skipped a meeting on the critical Ukraine issue on the sidelines of the G-7 summit in Germany in 2022. This meeting with the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was cancelled in the last minute as Biden had to go to bed early. This was an informal meeting on the sidelines of the G-7 summit. The State Department has denied these reports. It assumes importance as many within the Democratic Party have called on Biden to step down as the party’s official presidential nominee ahead of the upcoming election in November.

Meeting with the German Chancellor:

This meeting on the important issue of Ukraine was critical to the western bloc and came exactly four months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The G-7 Summit in 2022 was held in Germany and the western countries were concerned about the fall out emerging from the Ukraine war. The US is a key member of NATO and an important net security provider to Europe. It is under these circumstances that Biden skipped his meeting with the German Chancellor in the last minute in June 2022.

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It has been reported that the German delegation was surprised when Secretary of State Anthony Blinken came to attend the meeting instead of Biden who had to sleep early.

Reactions:

The US State Department denied this report. Another official said that the White House had informed the Germans that Biden would be unable to attend this meeting.

Biden’s cognitive health:

Axios reported that Joe Biden can effectively function only from 10am-4pm and beyond this time period, a cognitive decline is visible. During Biden’s visits abroad too, this cognitive decline is visible. This has raised questions on his continuation in office if he were to win the upcoming election in November. In recent times, many donors including Abigail Disney have warned the Democrats that they would stop their donations to the party if Biden was not replaced on the ballot box.

Biden refuses to step down:

Biden in an interaction with his supporters expressed his confidence and attacked those who are asking him to step down. He said that the voters are continuing to support him and he will win the upcoming election.

FAQs:

What is the agenda of the ongoing NATO Summit in 2024?
The summit is taking place in Washington DC and will end on July 11. Joe Biden is expected to attend the meeting. Many press reports are discussing his fitness levels and have questioned if Biden can attend the meeting. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the Russia-China relations will be the focus of this summit.

What has been the focus of the White House after reports of Biden’s cognitive decline emerged?
The White House has denied these reports. They are also shielding the President from impromptu interactions and meetings.