German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will visit the White House on Feb. 7 amid rising tensions on the Ukraine-Russia border and within NATO.
The move comes as both sides of the debate ramp up military resources amid a threat of war between Russia and Ukraine. Germany’s role in the conflict has been hotly debated.
“Chancellor Scholz’ visit provides an opportunity to affirm the deep and enduring ties between the United States and Germany,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement on the visit. “The leaders will discuss their shared commitment to both ongoing diplomacy and joint efforts to deter further Russian aggression against Ukraine.”
In the first visit from a German chancellor following the 16-year run of Angela Merkel, the leaders will also address problems such as climate change and international security.
‘ADVERSARY OF THE UNITED STATES’: TOM ROGAN SAYS GERMANY IS NOT AN ALLY OF NATO
Germany has emerged as a sticking point in a wobbly Europe, with some even saying the country is no longer a NATO ally. The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which is supposed to travel from Russia to Germany, is threatened by the situation and would represent a large economic blow to both nations if it isn’t completed.
The State Department has said the pipeline will not move forward if Russia invades Ukraine, which officials continue to warn could happen “at any point.”
Russia has moved roughly 100,000 troops to the border since last fall, and the pipeline could be used as a leverage point in deterring an invasion.
“I want to be very clear about this. If Russia invades Ukraine, one way or another, Nord Stream 2 will not move forward,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a CNN interview on Thursday.
Washington Examiner national security writer and contributors editor Tom Rogan is convinced Germany is a bad U.S. ally.
“Germany increasingly is not an American ally and actually, judged by its actions of consequence, could be described more accurately as an adversary of the United States,” Rogan told Fox Business host Larry Kudlow.
The country has declined to send munitions or weapons to Ukraine.
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Germany could renege on Nord Stream 2, Scholz said last week, noting: “It is clear that there will be a high price to pay and that everything will have to be discussed should there be a military intervention in Ukraine.”
