According to the White House, in the meeting Biden discussed above all with German politicians how Russia can be deterred from manipulating gas supplies. The US President also stressed the need to implement the US-German agreement on the North Stream-2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany and to continue cooperation in this regard, in light of the upcoming change of government in Germany.
Under the US-German agreement, Washington will suspend sanctions imposed or will be imposed on the gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea, Berlin will invest in investments in Ukraine and will respond to possible Russian action against Ukraine with punitive measures.
Russia supplies Europe with LNG via several gas pipelines. But on Saturday, gas supplies were partially cut off through the Yamal-Europe pipeline, which transports natural gas to Germany via Poland.
The International Energy Agency and many European politicians have complained that Russia is not doing enough to increase its gas exports to Europe. At the same time, Russian gas giant Gazprom said it is fulfilling its contractual obligations and can meet demand from European customers.
In addition to energy issues, Biden and the German chancellor discussed more humanitarian aid for Afghanistan. The US President also thanked Merkel for Germany’s participation in the resettlement of Afghans fleeing Taliban reprisals. Nearly two months later, the transfer of nearly 35,000 Afghan refugees to the United States from the US air base in Ramstein, Germany was completed on Saturday.
Biden also thanked the outgoing German chancellor for playing a leading role in ensuring mutual security and strengthening transatlantic relations over the past 16 years during his tenure.
Cover image source: Getty Images
