Ukraine crisis: US, Germany working in 'lockstep' to deter Russian aggression in Europe: Joe Biden
Categories: FOREIGN COUNTRIES
President Biden met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and declared that the US and Germany are working in "lockstep" to counter Russian aggression towards Ukraine. "Germany is one of America`s closest allies," Biden said in remarks at the beginning of the meeting with Scholz at White House on Monday (local time). "We`re working in lockstep to further deter Russian aggression in Europe and to address the challenges posed by China and to promote stability in the Western Balkans," The Hill reported Biden as saying. According to The Hill report, the United States is trying to demonstrate a united front with allies in plans to push back against any effort by Russia to further invade Ukraine, besides making preparations to impose harsh economic sanctions that officials say would be triggered by a renewed Russian invasion.Last week, Biden also authorized the deployment of 3,000 troops to Eastern Europe to provide additional support to NATO allies, including Germany. Meanwhile, there are reports that the first group of American soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division arrived in Poland following Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby`s announcement about 1,700 additional troops from the United States to be sent to the country.The deployment includes 1,700 soldiers to be sent to Poland and 1,000 US personnel based in Germany will be relocated to Romania and another 8,500 troops will "remain ready to move if called for the NATO response force," Kirby said, according to The Sputnik News Agency. "NATO member countries continue to pump up Ukraine with modern types of weapons, allocate significant financial resources for the modernization of the Ukrainian army. They send military specialists and instructors," Putin said at a press conference following the Russian-French talks. Putin, however, expressed hope that Macron would discuss in Kiev issues raised on Monday during the Russian-French talks, adding "We hope that Mr President, at least as he said today, intends to discuss tomorrow at a meeting with the Kiev leadership the issues of guarantees and ensuring security and stability in Europe within the Ukrainian settlement."Putin believes that Macron "will have a hard time" in negotiations with the leadership of Ukraine on Tuesday in Kiev. He said that after Macron`s visit to Kiev, they would still call each other.French President Macron plans to visit Kiev on Tuesday, for a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.