On Monday Biden managed to wrangle a joint statement out of the German Chancellor that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline would be stopped if the Russians invade Ukraine. Hell of a move, if it’s real.

FNC: “President Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are expected to talk ‘significantly’ about the situation in Ukraine and Russia during his visit to the White House on Monday, as well as their ‘shared commitment’ in the ongoing diplomatic efforts to encourage Moscow to deescalate tensions and prevent an invasion, a senior administration official said.

The president will welcome Scholz to the White House Monday for his first visit to Washington since being sworn in as chancellor—a visit Biden is ‘very much looking forward to.’ The visit, the official said, ‘illustrates the continued importance that the United States places on the bilateral relationship with Germany.’

The official said that Biden and Scholz would speak ‘significantly’ about Ukraine and Russia. The official said they would discuss their hope for a diplomatic resolution, while also the potential preparation of ‘robust sanctions’ against Russia should President Vladimir Putin decide to invade Ukraine.”

US President Biden promised to "bring an end" to the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline if Russia attacks, while German Chancellor Scholz vowed to "act together" and be united.

Neither elaborated as to how. pic.twitter.com/RglQ4guUOi

— DW News (@dwnews) February 7, 2022

A top administration official gave an overview of the talks. “We have been coordinating very closely with Germany over the last number of weeks, as w have with other European partners, on the package of swift and severe sanctions we’d put into place in the event of Russian invasion in Ukraine,” the official said. “We welcome the unity we’ve been seeing from allies and partners to join with us in imposing swift and severe sanctions if Russia continues its aggression.

“We will continue to work very closely with Germany to ensure the pipeline does not move forward. There is absolute agreement that if there is further Russian aggression, then there are things that need to be done…We are absolutely confident Germany shares concerns about Russian aggression, and shares support for Ukrainian sovereignty,” the official said, adding that Biden and Scholz are “equally committed to trying to make diplomacy work.”

“Certainly, across the board, there is very much unity of purpose and agreement in the to be able to respond either diplomatically or with sanctions, defending on which path Putin chooses,” the official concluded.

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