“Germany is one of America’s closest allies.”
(Photo: dpa)
Washington US President Jeo Biden has emphasized the close relationship between the US and Germany. “Germany is one of America’s closest allies,” Biden said at the reception of Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the Oval Office on Monday. He looks forward to the close cooperation. “Welcome, welcome, welcome!”
Together they want to prevent Russia from aggression against Ukraine, but they also want to work closely together during the current German G7 presidency, for example in combating pandemics and combating climate change.
Scholz also emphasized that a Russian attack must be prevented together. He said: “We are the closest allies and we are working together intensively, and this is necessary to take the steps we need to take, for example, in the fight against Russian aggression towards Ukraine.” It is an important visit in a very important time.
The Chancellor was on Monday for the inaugural visit to the US President. After the conversation, Scholz and Biden wanted to appear before the press.
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Scholz has been accused by some allies of not putting enough pressure on Russia in the Ukraine crisis. Doubts have also been raised in the USA as to whether Germany can be counted on in an emergency.
Olaf Scholz reaches Washington – conversation with Biden on Monday
Berlin’s refusal to supply arms to Ukraine causes irritation. There is still massive criticism in the USA of the Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea pipeline, which is intended to bring gas directly from Russia to Germany, bypassing Ukraine.
Scholz had previously said in Washington that the West would act “quickly, swiftly and decisively” in the event of a Russian attack on Ukraine. Everything about possible sanctions is on the table.
Shortly before Scholz arrived in Washington, Biden’s security adviser Jake Sullivan had increased the pressure on Germany. He declared unequivocally: “If Russia invades Ukraine, Nord Stream 2 will be stopped, one way or another.” This makes it clear: In this case, the Americans will do everything possible to prevent the gas pipeline between Russia and Germany from being commissioned with sanctions – whether the government wants it or not.
Given the deployment of tens of thousands of Russian soldiers, it is feared that the Kremlin is planning an invasion of Ukraine. Moscow denies that. It is also considered possible that the Russian side wants to stir up fears in order to persuade NATO to make concessions on demands for new security guarantees.
More: Scholz in the USA – Operation Damage Reduction. A comment.