US, Germany working in ‘lockstep’ to deter Russian aggression in Europe: Joe Biden

US 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.

Scholz, who is on his first trip to the White House since taking over from longtime German leader Angela Merkel, said that their countries were the “closest allies and working intensely together,” adding “This is necessary for doing the steps that we have to do to for instance fighting against Russian aggression against Ukraine.” 

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.