WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz vowed on Friday to continue to impose costs on Russia for its war in Ukraine, now in its second year, as an official EU said any weapon supplied by China to Russia would trigger sanctions.
Biden and Scholz met privately in the Oval Office for more than an hour, a senior administration official said. Their discussion focused on the importance of continued “global solidarity” with the Ukrainian people and continued efforts to provide security, humanitarian, economic and political assistance to Ukraine.
Sitting next to Scholz in the Oval Office, Biden thanked the German leader for his “strong and consistent leadership” and support for Ukraine. Scholz said it was important to demonstrate that the allies would support Kyiv “as long as it takes and for as long as necessary.”
Speaking ahead of the meeting, US officials said the talking points included the state of the war and how to respond if China provides military aid to Russia.
Scholz’s brief one-day trip — there were no other meetings on his agenda — was his second in the White House since taking office in December 2021. Biden’s national security adviser also met one-on-one with his German counterpart.
Washington has begun consulting with its allies about imposing possible sanctions on China if Beijing provides military support to Russia for its war in Ukraine, Reuters reported this week, citing US officials and other sources.
Washington has said in recent weeks that China is considering supplying weapons to Russia, although US officials have not provided evidence or said such supplies have begun. Beijing has denied any intention to arm Russia.
“We haven’t seen anything yet from China on lethal weapons,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters ahead of the meeting. “Every step China takes towards Russia makes things more difficult for China with Europe and other countries around the world.”
A senior European Union official told a separate briefing that it would be an “absolute red line” if China supplied arms to Russia, and that the EU would respond with sanctions.
Germany has generally taken a far less hawkish stance than the United States on China, its biggest trading partner, but Scholz also sent a strong warning to China on Thursday not to supply weapons to Moscow and called on Beijing to pressure Russia to withdraw its forces, a speech noted and welcomed by US officials.
Biden praised Scholz’s decision to sharply increase Germany’s military spending and diversify energy sources away from Russia, and said the two leaders had worked closely with other allies to support Ukraine. US officials said Ukraine was preparing for a new Russian offensive in the coming weeks.
“As NATO allies, we make the alliance stronger,” Biden said, as the United States announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth $400 million that would includes ammunition and tactical bridges to move tanks and armored vehicles.
The EU official said a major trade irritant – a dispute over US green technology subsidies under the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that German and EU officials fear will they only disadvantage their companies – could soon be solved.
The official said U.S. and European officials were working on a high-level agreement that would make European minerals eligible for U.S. tax credits, with an announcement possible as soon as next Friday when European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will go to the White House.
Critics say the IRA was a slap in the face for Europe from its biggest ally at a time when Europe was already struggling with significantly higher energy prices due to the war in Ukraine.
Biden and Scholz met privately in the Oval Office for more than an hour, a senior administration official said. Their discussion focused on the importance of continued “global solidarity” with the Ukrainian people and continued efforts to provide security, humanitarian, economic and political assistance to Ukraine.
Sitting next to Scholz in the Oval Office, Biden thanked the German leader for his “strong and consistent leadership” and support for Ukraine. Scholz said it was important to demonstrate that the allies would support Kyiv “as long as it takes and for as long as necessary.”
Speaking ahead of the meeting, US officials said the talking points included the state of the war and how to respond if China provides military aid to Russia.
Scholz’s brief one-day trip — there were no other meetings on his agenda — was his second in the White House since taking office in December 2021. Biden’s national security adviser also met one-on-one with his German counterpart.
Washington has begun consulting with its allies about imposing possible sanctions on China if Beijing provides military support to Russia for its war in Ukraine, Reuters reported this week, citing US officials and other sources.
Washington has said in recent weeks that China is considering supplying weapons to Russia, although US officials have not provided evidence or said such supplies have begun. Beijing has denied any intention to arm Russia.
“We haven’t seen anything yet from China on lethal weapons,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters ahead of the meeting. “Every step China takes towards Russia makes things more difficult for China with Europe and other countries around the world.”
A senior European Union official told a separate briefing that it would be an “absolute red line” if China supplied arms to Russia, and that the EU would respond with sanctions.
Germany has generally taken a far less hawkish stance than the United States on China, its biggest trading partner, but Scholz also sent a strong warning to China on Thursday not to supply weapons to Moscow and called on Beijing to pressure Russia to withdraw its forces, a speech noted and welcomed by US officials.
Biden praised Scholz’s decision to sharply increase Germany’s military spending and diversify energy sources away from Russia, and said the two leaders had worked closely with other allies to support Ukraine. US officials said Ukraine was preparing for a new Russian offensive in the coming weeks.
“As NATO allies, we make the alliance stronger,” Biden said, as the United States announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth $400 million that would includes ammunition and tactical bridges to move tanks and armored vehicles.
The EU official said a major trade irritant – a dispute over US green technology subsidies under the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that German and EU officials fear will they only disadvantage their companies – could soon be solved.
The official said U.S. and European officials were working on a high-level agreement that would make European minerals eligible for U.S. tax credits, with an announcement possible as soon as next Friday when European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will go to the White House.
Critics say the IRA was a slap in the face for Europe from its biggest ally at a time when Europe was already struggling with significantly higher energy prices due to the war in Ukraine.
