IRIA News

U.S. President Joe Biden met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the White House on February 7 afternoon and stated that the United States and Germany are working together with allies and partners to pursue diplomatic resolutions of this Ukraine crisis.

According to White House statement, President Bidens said: “Today, the Chancellor and I discussed our close cooperation and developed a strong package of sanctions that are going to clearly demonstrate international resolve and impose swift and severe consequences if Russia violates Ukraine’s sovereignty and its territorial integrity.”

“Germany has also been a leader in pushing de-escalation of tensions and encouraging dialogue through the Normandy Format.  But if Russia makes the choice to further invade Ukraine, we are jointly ready and all of NATO is ready,” Biden added.

President Biden thanked Germany and the U.S. partners in the European Union, particularly in Eastern Europe, “for their work” towards united stance towards Russia. “We are in agreement that it cannot be business as usual if Russia further invades,” Biden stressed.

The U.S. president affirmed that if Russia invades Ukraine, “that means tanks or troops crossing the border of Ukraine again, then there will be no longer a Nord Stream 2. We will bring an end to it.”

Biden also warned Russian President Putin by saying that “it would be a gigantic mistake for him to move on Ukraine.” The U.S. president also emphasized that the Russian attack on Ukraine would have devastating impact on Europe and the rest of the world, and Russia “would pay a heavy price”. 

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that Ukraine faces a “military threat” from Russia, and the allies cannot remain silent on the matter. “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 added.

According to the White House statement, the two leaders also discussed the “challenges to the international order” from both Russia, China, and other competitors “that are pursuing more illiberal futures”.

“We’ve agreed that Germany and the United States will continue to work together to ensure that the rules and principles governing emerging technologies are geared to advance freedom of opportunity, not repression or authoritarianism,” the statement read.

The U.S. president also emphasized that: “Whether as allies in NATO, partners through the European Union, as leaders of the G7 and G20, or through our strong bilateral relationship, Germany and the United States are close friends and reliable partners, and we can count on one another.”

Separately on February 7, French President Emmanuel Macron met Russian President Vladimir Putin to ease escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine. During the meeting, French president made concrete proposals to address the concerns of both Russia and the West.