The United States and Germany are working in “lockstep” to deter Russian “aggression” in Europe, US President Joe Biden has said, as he met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the White House on Monday.
Amid growing tensions in eastern Europe, Scholz held in-person talks with Biden on February 7 for the first time since coming to power in Germany late last year.
“We are closest allies and working intensely together,” Scholz told reporters. “And this is necessary for doing the steps that we have to do – for instance, fighting against Russian aggression against Ukraine. So it’s an important meeting at a very, very important time.”
The meeting came hours after the United States and the European Union expressed “firm support for a strong and resilient Ukraine” following a meeting of the US-EU Energy Council.
Europe depends heavily on Russian energy exports – and weeks of ongoing tensions along the Russia-Ukraine border have fuelled fears that Moscow could cut European nations off from critical supplies.
“Mindful of the rapidly changing energy landscape and the continued risks to energy security, including cybersecurity of energy infrastructure, the US-EU Energy Council works to enhance energy security and promote energy diversification,” the US and EU said in a joint statement.
The Russian military has been amassing troops near the country’s border with Ukraine, sparking a diplomatic crisis and heightening US and European fears that Russia may be preparing for an imminent invasion of its neighbour.
Russia has denied that it is planning to invade Ukraine, but it has adamantly opposed the country’s efforts to join NATO.
Moscow also is seeking security guarantees that the US-led alliance will stop its expansion into former Soviet republics, but Washington and NATO have rejected the demand as a “non-starter” while saying they are open to discussing arms control measures in Europe.
Germany has taken a less forceful approach to Russia than some of its western allies, refusing to send weapons to the Ukrainian army — a move that garnered rebuke from Kyiv.
But Scholz and Biden appeared to present a united front on Monday.
“To state the obvious, Germany is one of America’s closest allies — working in lockstep to further deter Russian aggression in Europe, and to address the challenges posed by China and promote stability in the western Balkans,” the US president said.
At a news conference after the meeting, Biden also called Germany a “leader in pushing de-escalation of tensions and encouraging dialogue” with Russia. “Germany and the United States, together with our allies and partners, are working closely together to pursue diplomatic resolutions in this situation. And diplomacy is the very best way forward for all sides,” he said.
Scholz said it is important that the US and Europe speak with “one voice”, calling Russia’s posture towards Ukraine a “serious threat” to European security. “We made it very clear, if there is a military aggression against Ukraine, this will entail severe consequences that we’ve agreed upon together,” he said.
Source: Al Jazeera
BDST: 1630 HRS, FEB 08, 2022
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