Biden holds joint news conference with German chancellor
United States and Germany would take a “united approach” to deter Russia’s threats against Ukraine amid rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine, President Biden said on Monday after meeting with the leader of Germany.
“If Russia makes a choice to further invade Ukraine, we are jointly ready and all of NATO is ready,” Biden said, standing beside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the White House.
“Germany with the United States together with our allies and partners are working closely together to pursue diplomatic resolutions to this situation and diplomacy is the very best way forward for all sides and we both agree, including [what’s] best for Russia in our view,” Biden said during the joint press conference. The President added that United States has made it very clear that “we’re ready to continue important talks in good faith with Russia.”
Among the topics discussed was the controversial gas pipeline project Nord Stream 2. Biden refrained from publicly criticizing Germany but said that the project would not go forward should Russia invade. “If Russia invades that means that tanks and troops crossing the border of Ukraine again, then there will be no longer a Nord Stream 2,” Mr. Biden said. “We will bring an end to it.”
The leaders discussed ongoing diplomatic and deterrence efforts in response to Russia’s continued military build-up on Ukraine’s borders, reaffirmed their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and reiterated their commitment to preventing Russia from using energy as a weapon, according to the White House statement.
The United States is discussing a package of “swift and severe” sanctions against Russia if it decides to invade Ukraine. “I have been very very straightforward and blunt with President Putin both on the phone and in person: We will impose the most severe economic sanctions that have ever been imposed,” Biden said.
“President Biden reaffirmed his commitment to further strengthening U.S.-German relations and working with the new Chancellor to deepen the transatlantic partnership.”
Biden and Scholz also discussed Germany’s G7 Presidency, joint action to end the COVID-19 pandemic, building back better health security, tackling the climate crisis, and supporting an inclusive global economic recovery. The leaders committed to cooperate closely on challenges posed by China and to continue promoting stability and prosperity in the Western Balkans.
“Germany is one of America’s closest allies,” Biden said before the meeting. “We’re working in lockstep to further deter Russian aggression in Europe and to address the challenges posed by China and to promote stability in the Western Balkans.”
The meeting with the German chancellor was held to publicly shore up ties with Western alliance as Europe is facing its most serious security threat since the Cold War. The Defense Department said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has added “sizeable forces” near the Ukrainian border and are now “well north of 100,000.”
The buildup of an estimated 100,000 Russian troops near Ukraine’s borders has fueled worries of a possible offensive. Russia has denied any plans to invade Ukraine and demanded that the U.S. and its allies bar Ukraine from joining NATO and halt weapons deployments in the region. Washington and NATO rejected those demands.
