「バイデン氏のリーダーシップに感謝」　ゼレンスキー大統領ら各国首脳がコメント

【パリＡＦＰ＝時事】ジョー・バイデン米大統領が２１日、大統領選からの撤退を表明したのを受け、各国首脳らは相次いでＸ （旧ツイッター）にコメントを発表した。（写真はジョー・バイデン米大統領）
　ウクライナのウォロディミル・ゼレンスキー大統領は「われわれはバイデン大統領のリーダーシップに感謝し続けるだろう」と投稿。「（ウラジーミル）プーチン（ロシア大統領）によるわが国占領の試みを阻止するのを助けてくれ、この恐ろしい戦争の最中、常にわれわれを支援してくれた」と述べた。
　英国のキア・スターマー首相は、バイデン氏の決定を尊重するとした上で、「残りの任期中、共に働くことを楽しみにしている」とした。
　ドイツのオラフ・ショルツ首相は「ジョー・バイデン氏は米国、欧州、世界のために多くのことを成し遂げた」とたたえるとともに、「撤退の決断も尊敬に値する」と語った。
　イスラエルのヨアブ・ガラント国防相は、「あなたの確固たる（イスラエル）支持は、特に戦時下においてかけがえのないものとなった。リーダーシップと友情に感謝する」と表明。
　カナダのジャスティン・トルドー首相は、「（バイデン氏は）大統領としてカナダ人のパートナーであり、真の友だ」と投稿した。
　オーストラリアのアンソニー・アルバニージー首相は「民主主義的価値観、世界の安全保障、経済発展、そして現在と未来の世代のための気候変動対策への献身を共有する中で、豪米同盟はかつてなく強固になった」とした。
　一方、ロシアのドミトリー・ペスコフ大統領報道官はニュースサイト「Ｌｉｆｅ．ｒｕ」に対し、「選挙までまだ４か月ある。その間に情勢は変わり得る。今後の動きを注視し、なすべきことをする必要がある」と話した。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2024/07/22-17:02）

World leaders lined up to pay tribute to Joe Biden after he announced Sunday he was dropping out of the US presidential race.
Biden notified the public of his decision in a letter, a stunning move that upends the 2024 race for the White House. He endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party's new nominee.
- European allies -
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Biden for taking bold steps in supporting his country, praising the US president's tough but strong decision to end his reelection bid.
He supported our country during the most dramatic moment in history, assisted us in preventing (Russian President Vladimir) Putin from occupying our country, and has continued to support us throughout this terrible war, he said.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk praised Biden for taking many difficult decisions thanks to which Poland, America and the world are safer, and democracy stronger.
I know you were driven by the same motivations when announcing your final decision. Probably the most difficult one in your life, added Tusk, who served as the European Council president between 2014 and 2019.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he respected Biden's decision.
I know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, he will have made his decision based on what he believes is best for the American people, said Starmer.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also paid tribute to my friend.
Joe Biden has achieved a lot: for his country, for Europe, for the world, he said. His decision not to run again deserves respect.
- 'A great man' -
Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant thanked Biden for his unwavering support of Israel over the years.
He added: Your steadfast backing, especially during the war, has been invaluable. We are grateful for your leadership and friendship.
Japan's premier said he recognised that Biden's announcement is one he feels is the best political decision he can make.
The Japan-US alliance is the cornerstone of our country's diplomacy and security, so we will monitor the situation closely, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked Biden for your leadership and ongoing service.
The Australia-US alliance has never been stronger with our shared commitment to democratic values, international security, economic prosperity and climate action for this and future generations.
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro told Biden to be at ease with your conscience because you took the sensible and correct decision.
He prioritised his family, his health and he realised at that age, with failing health, he couldn't take the reins of his country, much less a presidential candidacy, said Maduro, who is preparing for presidential polls this month.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also thanked Biden for his years of service.
He's a great man, and everything he does is guided by his love for his country, he said.
As president, he is a partner to Canadians -- and a true friend. To President Biden and the First Lady: thank you.
Former president Barack Obama, with whom Biden served two terms as vice president, praised his record in office.
Internationally, he restored America's standing in the world, revitalised NATO, and mobilised the world to stand up against Russian aggression in Ukraine, he said.
While he had every right to run for reelection, Biden's decision to drop out of the race was testament to his love of country, Obama added.
- 'Unfit' -
The Kremlin said it was monitoring developments.
The election is still four months away. And it's a long time, during which a lot can change. We need to pay attention, follow what will happen and go about our business, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Life.ru news outlet.
Even as world leaders paid tribute to his performance on the world stage, leading Republicans were insisting he was unfit to remain president.
If Joe Biden is not fit to run for president, he is not fit to serve as president, said a statement from House Speaker Mike Johnson, the top Republican in Congress.
He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough, he added.
Former president Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, wrote on his Truth Social network: Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for president, and is certainly not fit to serve.