BERLIN (AP) — Even across the Atlantic in Germany, President Joe Biden can’t entirely escape discussions about Donald Trump.

On Friday, the U.S. president convened with European partners behind closed doors to address Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and escalating tensions in the Middle East. With the U.S. election nearing in just weeks, and a tight race between Biden and Trump, there are concerns that a potential Trump victory could disrupt the alliances Biden aims to hand over to his designated successor, Vice President Kamala Harris, who is the Democratic nominee.

Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, has repeatedly expressed disdain for some of America’s closest allies, advocating for tariffs on key security partners. During a presidential debate, he showed little interest in endorsing Ukraine’s victory in the war with Russia and hinted at uncertainty over defending NATO members in case of an attack.

Speaking aboard Air Force One en route to Berlin, national security adviser Jake Sullivan pushed back against the term “Trump-proofing” U.S. foreign policy, saying Biden prefers not to frame it in political terms. However, Sullivan outlined efforts that appear aimed at ensuring continued military support for Ukraine, regardless of future leadership.

“The president is looking to make our support for Ukraine long-lasting and institutionalized,” Sullivan explained. “And the consensus from our allies is that this is the responsible course of action.”

Yet Sullivan conceded that Biden can shape policy for now, but he cannot predict decisions made by future administrations.

“President Biden’s role has been to consistently articulate his vision for America's global standing, focusing on both national security and the interests of our close allies,” Sullivan added. “Beyond that, he can’t and won’t speculate about what others may decide in his place.”

Trump, on the other hand, argues that his approach would benefit the U.S. economy while preventing exploitation by foreign nations. He insists that under his leadership, the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel would never have occurred.

“I will bring an end to the war in Ukraine, stop the chaos in the Middle East, and prevent World War III,” Trump boldly proclaimed at a recent rally in Georgia. “I know how to do it.”

Back home, Biden has often clashed with Trump over the latter’s misleading claims, particularly concerning federal disaster relief responses to hurricanes Helene and Milton. Biden has criticized Trump’s dissemination of misinformation, terming it “un-American.”

Regarding foreign policy, Vice President Harris stands firmly with Biden’s endorsement of Ukraine and Israel, though she has notably emphasized addressing the humanitarian plight of Palestinian civilians impacted by the Hamas conflict.

Throughout his term, Biden has consistently delivered the message to global leaders that “America is back,” reaffirming alliances that weakened during Trump’s presidency. Yet, he admits there’s lingering doubt: “The question I get most often is, ‘America is back—but for how long?’”

Biden’s visit to Berlin was a must before wrapping up his term, especially after visiting other key allies like Japan, South Korea, France, India, the UK, Poland, and Ukraine.

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Biden’s first official engagement on Friday was a visit to Bellevue Palace, where he was received with military honors by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Later on, Biden would be bestowed with Germany’s Order of Merit, an award previously given to President George H.W. Bush for his role in supporting German reunification.

The day will continue with meetings between Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. In addition, Biden plans to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer before departing Berlin in the late afternoon.

Discussions between Biden and Scholz are expected to center around the continuing situation in Ukraine and recent events in Israel and Gaza, especially after the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. They are also expected to discuss diplomatic strategies related to Lebanon, Iran, and coordination on China, industrial policy, and innovation. Furthermore, conversations will touch on the advancement of artificial intelligence and renewable energy initiatives.

Despite Biden’s emphasis on democratic values during this trip, he has no scheduled press conference for the media. This decision has drawn some media queries about its alignment with democratic principles. In response, Sullivan defended the administration’s approach to press engagement.

“Honestly, the idea that a single press conference or lack thereof in Germany reflects the president’s commitment to democracy is a ridiculous notion,” Sullivan told reporters aboard Air Force One.