New Delhi: U.S. President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday said they will keep imposing sanctions on Russia for the Ukraine invasion, now in its second year. Amid suspicions of China aiding Russia with arms, an EU official said any weapons provided by Beijing to Moscow would trigger sanctions. This comes as Biden and Scholz met in private in the Oval Office and spoke for over an hour, news agency Reuters reported a senior administration official as saying.
“As NATO allies, we’re making the alliance stronger,” President Biden said, as quoted by Reuters. The remark came as the United States announced a new military aid package for Kyiv worth $400 million including ammunition and tactical bridges to move tanks and armored vehicles.
In their conversation, both leaders spoke about the importance of “global solidarity” with Ukraine with efforts to provide security, humanitarian, economic, and political assistance to the war-ravaged country, a White House statement informed.
President Biden with Chancellor Scholz to reaffirm the deep bonds of friendship between the United States and Germany. The leaders also discussed their bilateral cooperation on a range of global security and economic issues – including support for Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/CX0eu5N8ne
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 3, 2023
“They reiterated their commitment to impose costs on Russia for its aggression for as long as necessary. The leaders also exchanged perspectives on other global issues,” the statement mentioned.
Scholz’s brief one-day trip comes as Washington has begun consulting allies about imposing possible sanctions on China if Beijing provides military support to Russia for its war in Ukraine, Reuters reported citing U.S. officials and other sources.
This was the German Chancellor’s second visit to the White House after taking office in December 2021. Biden’s national security adviser also met one-on-one with his German counterpart.
“Absolute Red Line” If Beijing Arms Russia: EU Official
The US has claimed that China was considering providing weapons to Russia while Beijing has denied any intention to arm Russia.
“We haven’t yet seen China do anything yet, as it relates to lethal weapons,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, as quoted by Russia. “Every step China takes toward Russia makes it harder for China with Europe and other countries around the world.”
As per the report, a senior European Union official said at a separate briefing that it would be an “absolute red line” if Beijing armed Russia, and the EU would respond with sanctions.
Scholz warned China on Thursday not to provide weapons to Moscow as he appealed to Beijing to pressure Russia to pull back its forces.
