Global Reactions to Biden's Victory: Authoritarian Leaders Remain Silent

 

PHOTO via Reuters 

World Leaders Congratulate Biden, But Not All Join In

As global leaders extend their congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, a noticeable silence lingers among certain authoritarian figures who enjoyed close ties with outgoing President Donald Trump.

Trump’s presidency was marked by his willingness to align with strongmen, offering praise and support to leaders like Russia’s Vladimir Putin. This departure from traditional U.S. diplomatic stances raises questions about how these relationships will shift under Biden’s administration.

Russia’s Putin and Other Strongmen Withhold Congratulations

During his tenure, Trump repeatedly broke with longstanding U.S. policy by publicly praising Putin, leading to widespread concerns about Russia’s interference in American elections. Biden has made it clear that his administration will take a hardline stance against foreign meddling, treating such actions “as an adversarial act.”

Karin von Hippel, director-general of the Royal United Services Institute, emphasized the stark contrast between Trump and Biden's approaches to Russia. “Biden will work hard with partners and allies to push back on whatever Russia is up to—whether it's trying to assassinate Russian citizens overseas, kill opposition leaders like [Alexey] Navalny in Siberia, or engage in aggressive activities in Syria and Crimea,” she said. “Putin knows there will be a stronger effort to contain Russia.”

A Shift in U.S. Foreign Policy Under Biden

Biden’s foreign policy approach is expected to prioritize strengthening alliances and holding authoritarian regimes accountable. His commitment to democracy and international cooperation signals a departure from Trump's often unpredictable and transactional diplomatic strategies.

As the Biden administration prepares to take office, the global landscape is poised for significant changes, particularly in U.S. relations with authoritarian regimes. World leaders’ responses—or lack thereof—offer a glimpse into the geopolitical shifts on the horizon.