In an address from the Oval Office on Tuesday, US President Joe Biden is set to call for increased assistance for Israel and Ukraine amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The fresh support from the US comes as the number of cases has grown rapidly in each nation and the global death toll is approaching 4 million. The Biden administration has put an emphasis on rebuilding global alliances and is now aiming to further strengthen its ties with the two countries through additional economic and humanitarian support.
The details of this plan have yet to be unveiled, but it is expected to include aid packages to bolster healthcare systems, vaccine rollout, and pandemic-related relief efforts.
This move will likely be met with applause from many in the international community, as well as America’s allies in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. It also marks a significant shift from the Trump administration’s policies, which saw decreased support for Israel and imposed economic sanctions on Ukraine.
The address will also present an opportunity for Biden to further emphasize the importance of multilateralism and collaboration among nations. In the face of crises like the pandemic, climate change, and national security threats, he has cast the US as a leader on the global stage coalescing around a shared goal. This latest move is meant to indicate the US is committed to working with like-minded countries to promote stability and progress.
The speech will wrap up with a call for increased coordination and funding for the World Health Organization and other international organizations. This point is also expected to act as an assurance to the world that despite shifting US policies, the nation still has a role in leading the global fight against the virus and other issues.
Thus, Tuesday’s Oval Office address is intended to serve as a signal of the US’s renewed commitment to international partnerships and collaboration. While we all wait to see what the President has in store this afternoon, one thing is clear: the US government is taking meaningful steps to ensure the wellbeing of its partners abroad.