The European Union welcomed the new US President Joe Biden's official assumption of his duties today, Wednesday, and called on him to revive the alliance between Europe and the United States, while Russia said it does not expect much, but it will seek to improve relations with America.

Hours before Biden’s inauguration, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a speech in the European Parliament that Europe “once again has a friend in the White House after four long years,” referring to the rule of outgoing President Donald Trump.

She added, "This new dawn in America is the moment that we have been waiting for for a long time," referring to the troubled relationship between the European Union and the United States over the past four years.

"Today brings new news: The United States is returning, and Europe is ready to resume (communication) with an old reliable partner to give new life to our precious alliance," she added.

For his part, European Union foreign policy commissioner Josep Borrell expressed his hope that the Joe Biden administration would end the ruling by tweeting, calling for strengthening cooperation with Washington on the Iranian nuclear file.

In the context, European Council President Charles Michel called the new US president to a meeting with European Union leaders to build what he described as a new founding charter for transatlantic relations "for a stronger Europe, for a stronger United States, and for a better world."

In the context of the same European positions welcoming Biden's arrival, German President Walter Steinmeier expressed his great satisfaction with the transfer of power in the United States, and he also expressed his pleasure to Washington as a key partner that will once again become alongside Europe in the common and united battle against the Corona epidemic, global protection of the climate, and issues related to security.

For his part, the Secretary-General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, confirmed his aspiration to work with Biden to strengthen ties between Europe and Washington.

Areas for cooperation


British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has faced criticism for his close ties to Donald Trump, said he was looking forward to working closely with the new US President, Joe Biden.

In a statement issued today, Johnson reviewed the areas he hopes to cooperate on with the new US administration, pointing to combating the Corona epidemic, climate change, defense and security, and promoting and defending democracy.

Peskov said that his country welcomes any American desire to extend the New START treaty (Anadolu Agency)

Russia's position


In Moscow, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today that Biden’s arrival to the presidency will not change anything for Russia.

Psiskov added that his country will continue to seek to improve relations with Washington.

He added that his country would welcome any American desire to extend the New START treaty, which was signed in 2010 and expires in February, according to mutual interest.

And Anthony Blinken, who was chosen by Biden for the position of Secretary of State, said yesterday that the new US administration will work to extend the treaty, and determine the period of extension.

In the same context, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev called on Russia and the United States to mend the strained relations between them.

In an interview with the official TASS agency, Gorbachev said that the current state of these relations is of concern.

And he considered that "we cannot isolate ourselves from each other."