During a meeting on Friday, US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz “reiterated their commitment to impose costs on Russia for its aggression [against Ukraine] for as long as necessary.”
The two leaders also declared that they worked in “lockstep” to provide critical support to Ukraine against Russia during the past year, and would continue to do so “as long as it takes.”
Biden’s Remarks
Before the meeting, Biden lauded Scholz’s “strong” leadership in the past year, saying that “the moral support you gave to the Ukrainians has been profound.”
Chancellor Scholz, welcome back to the White House.
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 5, 2023
A lot has happened in the last year.
Through everything, Germany and the U.S. have only grown closer. Our partnership will only deepen as we continue to stand up for our shared values around the world. pic.twitter.com/F5Ly0kt3g4
The US president acknowledged that it has been a “difficult” year for Germany, which had to make “historic changes” by “increasing defence spending and diversifying away from Russian energy sources.”
In response, Scholz appreciated Biden’s efforts to ensure that “the transatlantic partnership is really in very good shape today.”
Overview
In January, Scholz reportedly agreed to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, while allowing other allies, such as Poland, to supply the tanks as well. Germany’s decision came in coordination with the US agreeing to send 31 M1A2 Abrams tanks to Ukraine.
In this regard, on Sunday, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan hinted at a strain in US-Germany ties over the supply of Leopard 2 tanks, saying that Berlin had refused to send Leopard 2 tanks unless Biden also “agreed to send Abrams.” However, Germany has denied making such a demand.
Thank you for your leadership and friendship, Joe! It's good to be back here in Washington. Transatlantic coordination is indispensable and has never been stronger. We are steadfast in our support for #Ukraine. Freedom and peace for Ukraine is our common goal. @Potus pic.twitter.com/6YAxZsMU5e
— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) March 3, 2023
In fact, German opposition leader Friedrich Merz also alleged that Scholz’s secretive US visit was to sort out disagreements between the two allies. However, before the trip, Scholz rebuffed such claims, asserting that the two leaders “want to talk directly with each other,” especially in “a global situation where things have become very difficult.”
Scholz Warns China
Scholz’s visit to the US came during a potential turning point in the Ukraine war, with both Kyiv and Moscow planning spring offensives, and thus, requiring additional military support from their respective allies.
In this respect, while addressing the German Parliament on Thursday, Scholz urged China, “use your influence in Moscow to press for the withdrawal of Russian troops, and do not supply weapons to the aggressor Russia.”
Olaf Scholz says there will be "consequences" if China arms Russia
— Samuel Ramani (@SamRamani2) March 6, 2023
A hedge on the issue of sanctions and simply an optimistic prediction that China won't arm Russia
With Beijing being Berlin’s leading trading partner, it signals a change in foreign policy as Europe has largely maintained a delicate balance with China and refused to take any strong position against the Asian giant, unlike the US.
West in Talks with Ukraine over Future Security Guarantees
Scholz further affirmed that Germany and its Western allies were in talks with Ukraine regarding future security guarantees. “Such security guarantees, however, come with the presumption that Ukraine successfully defends itself in this war,” Scholz noted, stressing that Berlin would continue to provide military support to Kyiv.
Part 1 of my exclusive interview with German @Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz, from today's GPS: his impression of Pres. Biden, where the war in Ukraine is heading, and whether Kyiv will need to negotiate an end to it pic.twitter.com/FijicLBfgs
— Fareed Zakaria (@FareedZakaria) March 5, 2023
The German Chancellor also opined that Russian President Vladimir Putin did not appear to be willing for negotiations to end the Ukraine war “at the moment.”