On Monday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with United States (US) President Joe Biden at the White House and had extensive discussions to deter Russia’s threat against Ukraine and the rules-based international order.
I welcomed Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany today for his first visit to the White House. We discussed our diplomatic and deterrence response to Russia’s military build-up on Ukraine’s borders, and our shared commitment to working closely together to address common challenges. pic.twitter.com/Uu1ex9J1B6
— President Biden (@POTUS) February 8, 2022
Regarding the Ukraine crisis, a press release stated: “Germany and the United States, together with our Allies and partners, are working closely together to pursue diplomatic resolutions of this situation. And diplomacy is the very best way forward for all sides, we both agree, including best for Russia, in our view. And we have made it very clear we’re ready to continue talks in good faith with Russia.”
Additionally, the two leaders discussed close cooperation and created a robust package of sanctions to demonstrate international resolve and impose punitive sanctions on Russia if the latter violates Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Now: President Joe Biden speaks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the White House. He says US and Germany are working in lockstep to deter Russia and impose costs if it attacks. "We are in agreement that it can't be business as usual if Russia invades [Ukraine]," Biden said.
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) February 7, 2022
Moreover, they also discussed China’s threat to the international order and agreed to pursue cooperation in emerging technologies geared to advance freedom of expression. Furthermore, they discussed the integration of Western Balkans into the European institutions and Germany’s presidency of the G7.
"If Russia makes a choice to further invade Ukraine, we are jointly ready and all of NATO is ready."
— ABC News (@ABC) February 7, 2022
Pres. Biden says he and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz "developed a strong package of sanctions" if Russia "violates Ukraine's sovereignty." https://t.co/uruQ4F4zM9 pic.twitter.com/9jb8m8OiXa
Moreover, Biden said the US would shut down Nord Stream 2 if Russia invaded Ukraine with tanks or troops. Biden said, “We will stop it.” Nord Stream 2 is an $11 billion underwater gas pipeline transporting gas from Russia to Germany. The pipeline would significantly increase Germany’s dependence on Russia for gas.
Likewise, Scholz said Washington and Berlin are united on Russian sanctions, saying, “We see the number of Russian troops along the Ukrainian border, and that is a serious threat to European security. And this is why it is important that we act together, that we stand together, and that we do what is necessary together.”
Scholz also called for joint action between the US, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Europe, and emphasised that Russian aggression against Ukraine would entail severe consequences with a high price for Moscow. At the same time, Scholz urged the use of all diplomatic means, including bilateral talks between the US-Russia and NATO-Russia, plus negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, France, and Germany in the Normandy Format to dissuade the Soviet nation from attacking Ukraine.
Earlier, the Scholz government’s refusal to both supply Ukraine with lethal weapons and increase troop presence in Eastern Europe as well as its reluctance to discuss sanctions against Moscow had attracted criticism nationally and internationally.
To fend off criticism and show support towards NATO and Ukraine, Germany said it would send at least 350 additional troops to Lithuania. “The reinforcement will include up to 350 soldiers who can be on the move within a few days,” Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht said, adding, “We are strengthening our contribution to NATO’s eastern flank and sending a very clear signal of unity to our allies. We can be relied upon, and we are showing this with this strengthening of the battle group.”
When questioned about Berlin’s alleged reluctance, Biden responded by expressing the administration’s complete confidence saying, “Germany is one of our most important allies in the world. There is no doubt about the alliance between Germany and the United States. None.”
Before the meeting, Biden said that the US and Germany are working together to counter Russian hostility in Europe. Similarly, Scholz said, “We are closest allies, and we are working intensely together, and this is necessary for doing the steps that we have to do, for instance, fighting against Russian aggression against Ukraine.”
"To state the obvious, Germany is one of America's closest allies."
— The Hill (@thehill) February 7, 2022
President Biden hosts German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the White House amid growing tensions in Eastern Europe. https://t.co/RTE7MZunhl pic.twitter.com/WsdIrZFboG
Russia has amassed tens of thousands of troops near Ukraine, indicating an invasion of the country for the second time since 2014. The West has threatened Russia with severe sanctions if it goes to war with Ukraine. However, Moscow has denied any plans of attack but has sought legal guarantees to restrict NATO’s eastward expansion and Ukraine’s membership of the security alliance.