1 of 4 | President Joe Biden meets with Prime Minister of Slovenia Robert Golob on Tuesday within the Oval Workplace of the White Home in Washington, D.C., the place the leaders mentioned developments within the Center East and Ukraine, whereas reaffirming mutual cooperation on clear power and superior applied sciences. Photograph by Aaron Schwartz/UPI | License Photograph

Oct. 22 (UPI) — President Joe Biden met with Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob on Tuesday on the White Home within the first Oval Workplace go to by a Slovenian chief in 18 years.

Throughout their assembly, the 2 leaders known as for European unity, vowed help for Ukraine over Russia, mentioned developments within the Center East and reaffirmed U.S.-Slovenian cooperation on clear power and superior applied sciences.

Biden and Golob made temporary remarks to reporters earlier than retreating to their assembly, because the president referenced Slovenia’s outsized function in one of many largest prisoner exchanges between the USA and Russia.

“We noticed it earlier this previous summer season after we secured the discharge of 16 folks, together with 4 Individuals, unjustly held in Russia,” Biden mentioned as he counseled Golob on his work within the trade.

The August swap included 4 Individuals. Wall Road Journal reporter Evan Gerskovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan have been freed within the deal as Slovenia launched two Russian spies.

“It was a feat of diplomacy. I wish to thank your nation to your help and your management and partnership that made it doable,” Biden added. “We made it clear to anybody who questions whether or not our allies matter. Effectively, simply take a look at what you probably did. They matter a terrific deal.”

Golob responded by calling the prisoner trade the work of “true buddies.”

“I believe that is actually what our joint effort with the prisoner swap demonstrated to all the world. And let’s proceed to work in a real friendship and with plenty of belief,” Golob added.

Of their assembly, the 2 leaders mentioned a joint method on the Western Balkans, an space of strategic curiosity for the USA and the Republic of Slovenia. Biden additionally known as for elevated protection investments to fund the North Atlantic Treaty Group.

“Twenty years in the past, after I was a U.S. senator, I pushed very arduous to your nation’s admission to NATO, as you recognize, as a result of I knew then what I do know now: We’re stronger and a safer world after we stand along with good companions such as you,” Biden mentioned.

“We have seen it in help for the courageous folks of Ukraine as they defend themselves in opposition to Russia’s aggression and we see it in our work to help democracy and prosperity throughout the western Balkans.”