The United States and Germany are “acting in concert” in the face of Russia’s “aggression” in Europe, Joe Biden said on Monday when he received German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the White House for the first time. “We are acting together to continue to prevent Russian aggression in Europe”, and to meet “the challenges posed by China”, added the American president in the Oval Office of the White House.
Germany is “one of America’s closest allies” continued Joe Biden, alongside the German prime minister, whom some in Washington consider too complacent about the risk of an attack from Ukraine by Russia. Olaf Scholz has indeed caused trouble in recent weeks by refusing to deliver arms to Ukraine and by maintaining suspense over the fate of the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, before agreeing to include it in the list of possible reprisals in the event of a Russian attack.
Russia would pay ‘a very high price’ if it invades Ukraine
The German Chancellor nevertheless wanted to reassure his American ally. “We are close allies and we act in a coordinated and united manner when it comes to responding to the current crises,” he told reporters on Monday, stressing that Russia would pay “a very high price” if invasion of Ukraine. The day before, he had argued that Germany was ready to send additional troops to the Baltic countries as part of NATO operations.