Biden, Scholz to discuss aid for Ukraine, war on Gaza on February 9
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This coincides with the depletion of US aid to Ukraine, a consequence of Republican opposition in Congress.
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The White House is seen at sunset in Washington, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
On February 9, US President Joe Biden is set to host German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the White House for discussions centered around Ukraine and the Israeli-led genocide on Gaza, as stated in an announcement made on Saturday.
According to the statement issued by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, both leaders will reaffirm "their resolute support for Ukraine's defense of its land and its people against Russia's war of aggression."
The announcement coincides with the depletion of US aid to Ukraine, a consequence of Republican opposition in Congress. This has left the crucial US ally without sufficient ammunition as it faces the third year of its war with Russia.
Read more: Scholz accused of 'financial trickery' in plan for 2024 Ukraine aid
Republicans have tied the Ukraine deal to funding aimed at addressing immigration issues along the US-Mexican border, a move influenced by lobbying from Donald Trump, the former president and the probable Republican nominee for the upcoming November presidential election.
On its end, Germany, Ukraine's second-largest contributor of weapons, has thus far declined to provide Kiev with the long-range missiles it urgently seeks.
Berlin is conscious that Ukraine might deploy the missiles to launch attacks within Russia.
Biden and Scholz will also discuss "efforts to prevent regional escalation in the Middle East, their steadfast support for Israel's right to self-defense, and the imperative of increasing life-saving assistance and protection of civilians from harm in Gaza," the statement noted, adding that they will also discuss plans for the upcoming NATO Summit in Washington in July.
Germany, US to coerce Ukraine into negotiations with Russia
In November 2023, a report issued by the German newspaper Bild revealed that Germany and the US are aiming to provide Kiev with a specific type and quantity of weapons, ensuring that the Ukrainian army can maintain its current position but remains incapable of reclaiming territories controlled by Russia.
Berlin and Washington will then aim to persuade Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that continuing the fight is futile, without explicitly urging him to engage in negotiations with Russia, as reported by Bild.
Read more: Kiev's accession to NATO tantamount World War III: Slovak PM
Should this strategy prove unsuccessful, the US and Germany are reportedly formulating a "plan B" with a potential "Minsk agreement without an agreement" scenario.
In this outcome, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine would freeze without a fully negotiated border demarcation.
Berlin aims to prompt Kiev into negotiations based on the existing situation on the ground, according to statements from an official cited by the newspaper.
Whether Zelensky is unaware of such plans is uncertain because several reports over the past weeks have indicated that the US and allies are actively pushing for Ukraine to engage in peace talks with Russia.
On another note, NATO recently launched its largest-ever military drill in its eastern flank, raising the prospect for a potential full-scale war between Russia and NATO members.
Sweden is soon set to become the newest NATO member after Budapest backed the new NATO expansion on January 25.
