Scholz Plans Early Visit to Trump Following January Inauguration

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz seeks to strengthen ties with President-elect Trump, citing alignment on Ukraine policy.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has expressed a desire to meet with Donald Trump shortly after his inauguration as U.S. President on January 20, 2024.
Scholz was not invited to Trump's inauguration, though leaders like China's Xi Jinping received invitations, a departure from past U.S. protocol.
Scholz views Trump's stance on limiting long-range Western weapons for Ukraine as supportive of his own refusal to send Taurus missiles to Kyiv.
Trump criticized President Biden's decision to allow Ukraine's use of long-range weapons on Russian territory, calling it a 'very dumb' move.
The potential Scholz-Trump meeting could occur before Germany's February 23 Bundestag elections, reflecting Scholz's aim to bolster transatlantic relations.