Scholz also suggested that he might be open to halting the Russia-to-Germany Nord Stream 2 pipeline should Moscow launch a renewed invasion of Ukraine. The United States has already pledged that the project will not move forward if Russia pursues further aggression.
“We are ready to take all necessary steps together with our allies,” Scholz said, adding: “It is absolutely clear that in a situation like this all options are on the table. Please understand that I will not get into any specifics, but our answer will be united and decisive.”
Scholz, who succeeded Angela Merkel as German Chancellor last December, is scheduled to meet with Biden on Monday afternoon. He told the Post that his White House visit will focus on “strengthening our transatlantic partnership” and praised the Biden administration’s diplomacy with Moscow.
“It is absolutely key that there is a strong unity between all the major partners, the transatlantic parties and between the United States and Germany. We worked hard to send a clear message to Russia that it will have a high price if they were to intervene into Ukraine,” Scholz said.
“I really appreciate what President Biden is doing in the bilateral talks between the United States and Russia,” he continued. “They are very difficult. They have a very difficult agenda. But it is strength and leadership — what he is doing there.”
Scholz also plans to visit Ukraine next week before traveling to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. At that meeting, Scholz told the Post that he will warn Putin that Russia will pay “a very high price” if it moves troops into Ukraine.