The meeting of US President Joe Biden with German Chancellor Olaf Soltz in Washington ended on Monday in a very good atmosphere, with a key issue on the agenda, the sanctions to be imposed on Russia in case of military intervention in Ukraine.
“All the necessary steps will be taken and will be taken together with our allies. We are fully united,” German Chancellor Olaf Soltz said in a press conference following the meeting.
Mr. Soltz did not name the German-Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream 2, but hinted that all decisions would be made in consultation with the United States and other allies. It was preceded by a statement by US President Joe Biden that “if Russia invades Ukraine, there will be no more Nord Stream 2.”
“Today we are in a very difficult situation. There is a military threat against Ukraine and of course we can not remain silent (…) This is a serious threat to security in Europe and that is why it is important to stay united, to react together and to do what is necessary together. . It is important that all allies, the United States and Germany, NATO, the transatlantic alliance, speak with one voice: if there is a Russian military invasion of Ukraine, it will have serious consequences, which we have agreed on. The cost to Russia will be high and I think everyone has realized that. “This message has been made clear repeatedly and even Russia has realized it.” The German Chancellor also stressed that in parallel with the preparation of sanctions, the channels of dialogue with Moscow should be kept open, in all forms, either bilaterally with the US or with NATO or within the framework of the OSCE and the Normandy. “This is the strategy with the highest chances of success,” Solz said, adding that Russia “must realize that sanctions will be a long-term, tough measure.” “We are prepared to take these measures with our allies, with the United States,” the German chancellor said. All the necessary steps will be taken and will be done by all of us. We are completely united. We will not make different moves. “
Asked if he considered Germany a credible partner in the Ukraine crisis, President Biden called him “one of the most important partners” of the United States, who “has our full confidence in us.” Germany “is absolutely, completely and utterly credible. “I have no doubt,” he said, adding that for Germany, the transatlantic relationship remains one of the main pillars of its foreign policy and a top priority.
Olaf Solz also referred to the need for rich countries to work together to provide vaccines against COVID-19 and for the poorest countries, while referring to climate change, he noted that “obviously only global solutions can work” and stressed that Germany and the United States, as industrial powers, must take responsibility but also seize opportunities for the future. He stressed the importance of creating a “like-minded club” to protect the climate.
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