US President-elect Donald Trump and President Joe Biden, long-time political rivals, discussed Ukraine and the Middle East on Wednesday, the 13th of November, in a “cordial” meeting aimed at demonstrating a smooth transfer of power despite deep policy differences, reports Reuters.
The two US leaders sat side by side in the Oval Office of the White House.
“They discussed important national security and domestic policy issues facing the country and the world,” White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. “The meeting was indeed very cordial, gracious and substantive.”
She said the meeting lasted about two hours.
Biden stressed that support for Ukraine was good for US national security because a strong and stable Europe would prevent America from getting involved in a war, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters.
Trump told the New York Post that he and Biden “talked a lot about the Middle East” during their talks. “I wanted to get his take on where we are”, the Post quoted Trump as saying. “And he told me, he was very kind.”
The two leaders discussed ensuring a “smooth transition of power”, with Biden telling Trump: “We will do everything to make sure that you are accommodated… Welcome back.”
Trump, who will take power on the 20th of January, said: “Politics is tough and in many cases it’s not a very nice world, but today it’s a nice world and I appreciate it very much – a transition that is as smooth as it can be. And I really appreciate that, Joe.”
WATCH: President Donald J. Trump and President Biden meet in the Oval Office pic.twitter.com/ZD9xPt4nyo
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) November 13, 2024
Trump didn’t host Biden in the Oval Office when he won in 2020
First Lady Jill Biden greeted Trump on his arrival and gave him a handwritten letter of congratulations to his wife Melania Trump, who, although not present, told on X that “her husband’s return to the Oval Office to begin the transition process is encouraging” and wished him success.