“It is with great pleasure that we welcome you again here in Brussels and your participation in this Council of Europe sends a very strong signal. Our union is very solid and we are pleased to coordinate our cooperation with you in these very difficult times and where we need to make the right and smart decisions for the future, for security for stability,” said Charles Michel.

The remarks were made on Joe Biden’s arrival at the European summit building, which brings together European Union (EU) leaders in Brussels between today and Friday, becoming the first time in history that a US president has directly participated in the Council. Europe.

Also in a statement upon his arrival at the European summit, Joe Biden stressed: “The most important thing we have to do in the West is unite and I don’t say that as an understatement”.

“This is the most important thing we can do to stop this guy. [Presidente russo, Vladimir Putin]What […] we believe we have committed war crimes,” said Joe Biden, noting the allegations made earlier.

On that occasion, Biden also welcomed Michel’s re-election as President of the European Council until November 2024.

“I have to congratulate him because he has just been re-elected unopposed. I dreamed of him,” said Joe Biden.

The European Union Heads of State and Government, meeting in Brussels, today unanimously decided to reappoint Charles Michel as President of the Council of Europe for a second term of two and a half years.

The re-election of Charles Michel took place today at the start of a summit of EU leaders, on a very busy day in Brussels, which in the morning hosted an extraordinary summit of NATO leaders and then a G7 summit (Germany, Canada, America United States, France, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom).

On the first day of the Council of Europe, the agenda will be dominated by foreign policy and, in particular, by Ukraine, at a time of intense armed conflict in the country due to the Russian invasion and when the United States and the European Union are pursuing unity abroad. .

On February 24, Russia launched a military offensive in Ukraine that caused at least 977 deaths, including 81 children, and 1,594 injuries among the civilian population, including 108 minors, and caused another 10 million people to flee, including 3.60. million people. neighboring countries, according to the latest UN data.

According to the United Nations, about 13 million people need humanitarian assistance in Ukraine.

The Russian invasion was condemned by the international community at large, which responded by sending weapons to Ukraine and strengthening economic and political sanctions on Moscow.