Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says United States President Joe Biden is mentally sharp and was “on top of his brief” during a meeting between the pair as Luxon nears the end of his time in the US.
Luxon also maintained the issue of whether Biden had the capacity to serve another term as president “wasn’t a consideration in my head”.
Biden is facing increasing pressure regarding his commitment to contest the next US election despite widespread concerns about his physical and mental capacity, sparked by his performance in a debate with former president Donald Trump.
The pair had a couple of informal interactions yesterday at a White House dinner, where Luxon said he observed Biden’s “great sense of humour”.
Early this morning NZ time, Luxon had a “pull aside” meeting with Biden and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as part of the Nato summit proceedings where they spoke about the US’ engagement in the Pacific.
Luxon said he enjoyed the “excellent” interaction. Asked whether Biden was sharp, Luxon said: “Yes, absolutely.”
He described Biden as being “on top of his brief” concerning the Pacific.
Luxon said “it wasn’t a consideration” for him whether Biden had the capacity to serve another term as president.
Earlier, Luxon chaired a meeting of the Indo-Pacific Four countries at the Nato summit during which he told Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy he “shared your outrage” over Russia’s “horrific” war on Ukraine.
Luxon had a discussion with Zelenskyy today while Zelenskyy was at the Indo-Pacific meeting at the summit in Washington DC.
In his comments, Luxon also took aim at both North Korea and China for support of Russia, saying it highlighted that the Indo-Pacific and Europe were linked.
“The intensifying military relationship between Russia and the DPRK, and China’s role supporting the rebuilding of Russia’s industrial base demonstrates the indivisibility of security issues between Europe and our part of the world in the Indo-Pacific,” Luxon said.
Talking with New Zealand media after the meeting, Luxon said he would consider going to Ukraine. He committed to considering more financial aid for Ukraine and an increase in New Zealand’s overall defence spending.
Asked what tangible outcomes had been derived from attending Nato, Luxon said it was a reminder that “democracy is not something you can just take for granted”.
He noted how conflicts in the European and North American territories, such as Russia’s illegal war with Ukraine, could be replicated closer to New Zealand as global powers like Russia and China acted in a way he believed was inconsistent with a rules-based international system.
Luxon cited North Korea’s development of missiles and the tensions driven largely by China in the South China Sea and with Taiwan.
“It’s moved from rules to power and that’s not good for small countries.”
The Indo-Pacific 4 is the grouping of Australia, Korea, Japan and New Zealand, a partner group within Nato.
While it was Australia’s turn to chair the meeting, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s decision not to attend meant it fell to Luxon instead.
In the Indo-Pacific 4 meeting, Luxon began by acknowledging Zelenskyy’s “exceptional” leadership.
“We want to express gratitude for all that you and all that your team and people are doing in the face of Russia’s unprovoked aggression. What you have been through, what you continue to face is horrific.”
For the first time, I held a meeting in a five-party format with the leaders of NATO’s Indo-Pacific partner countries.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 11, 2024
We discussed the rapidly changing situation in the Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing the need for unity and coherence in security matters.
I stressed that, in… pic.twitter.com/HtiRA9MtM9
He said Russia’s bombing of civilian areas in Ukraine – including Kyiv’s children’s hospital – was a reminder of that. “We share your outrage at Russia’s callous disregard for human life.”
He said the Indo-Pacific 4 countries were all deeply committed to the rules-based order.
The Indo-Pacific 4 has taken on more involvement within Nato in the past three years primarily because of concern about China and North Korea’s relationships with Russia, as well as tensions in the region, including the South China seas.
Zelenskyy did not make any remarks while the media were in the room.
The Indo-Pacific meeting included Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol and Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles. The ambassadors for the countries were also in the room.
Kishida, through a translator, referred to the four countries as “the cornerstone of peace and stability in the region” who needed to spread the message that change of the status quo by force or coercion could not be tolerated.
“I want the four nations to renew our determination today not to allow today’s Ukraine to the East Asia of tomorrow.”
President Yoon also referred to “provocations” by North Korea, including ballistic missile launches. “The history of an unfortunate war, if not to be repeated, calls for a strong, overwhelming physical deterrence capability, as well as the strength of partnership among countries committed to upholding a rules-based order.”
Ukraine is very much the focus of the summit as Nato leaders pledged further military support for it in the war against Russia - significant new support has been pledged, including air defence systems from the US and other countries. While Luxon was at the summit, New Zealand also announced $16 million more in military and humanitarian support.
Many of the Nato leaders have also emphasised the links between security in the Indo-Pacific and the Atlantic – including concerns about the roles of North Korea and China in offering support or “enabling” Russia.
Luxon leaves DC later today after the Nato summit meetings end to head to San Francisco for the last day of his visit to the US.
He confirmed he would be meeting with the state’s Governor Gavin Newsom, the man touted to be a frontrunner to potentially replace Biden, should he step down, and run as the Democratic candidate in the election.
Luxon said the reason for the meeting and visit was to encourage investment in New Zealand, noting California had one of the biggest economies in the world.
He was hoping to get to meet Republican Senator Ted Cruz (Texas) just before he leaves - a meeting that has been re-scheduled twice because of the hurricane hitting Texas.
Yesterday, Luxon went to a dinner at the White House, saying afterwards he had had a brief exchange with US President Joe Biden, and had also caught up with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the first time.
He also held talks with Spain’s President Pedro Sánchez today after meeting Canada’s Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron and Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas yesterday.
Luxon mentioned he had discussed the unrest in New Caledonia with Macron. Luxon said he’d reiterated New Zealand’s desire to see a “Pacific solution” emerge and the importance of stability, a view Macron reportedly shared.
In remarks to Sánchez, Luxon said it was likely he wouldn’t be attending the upcoming America’s Cup in Barcelona.
Asked why, Luxon said being at the America’s Cup or the Paris Olympics was the “last thing” Kiwis wanted to see, given the breadth of domestic issues occupying the Government.
Claire Trevett is the NZ Herald’s political editor, based at Parliament in Wellington. She is in Washington DC covering PM Christopher Luxon’s visit to the NATO Summit.
Labour wants the Govt to denounce the US attack as a breach of international law.