It's hopefully an opportunity to embarrass him if he backs out.

Personally, I see it as a larger problem for the US that the Democrats are no longer anywhere near left enough or dialog oriented enough to maintain the facade of a superpower with European values and special relationships, and I don't think a fake moment of reflection will change that.

Europe would be moving toward seeing itself as bullied by 3 superpowers with less distinction either way but at an accelerated pace if it doesn't even see the Democrats as a relatable government in exile when the US is particularly unhinged.