US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz both pledged continued sanctions on Russia as the war Moscow wages on Ukraine continues. An official from the European Union has also said that any attempt by China to supply Russia with arms would result in sanctions.
Biden met with Scholz in Washington on Friday last week, where the US leader praised Germany’s decision to increase its military spending and diversify the energy sources outside Russia. Both leaders coordinated with allies to support Ukraine. Officials said that the state of the war and the possible response to China potentially supplying Russia with weapons.
“As NATO allies, we’re making the alliance stronger,” said Biden, while Scholz stressed the importance of allies’ continued support to Kyiv “for as long as it takes and as long as is necessary.”
The meeting between Biden and Scholz comes as the US announced its latest round of military assistance to Ukraine worth $400 million. The new round of military assistance to Ukraine includes additional ammunition as well as tactical bridges that could help transport battle tanks and armored vehicles. The additional ammunition also comes as Ukraine is gearing up for a spring offensive.
China has denied plans of aiding Russia in its war, but Washington has already started consulting with allies on possible sanctions on Beijing, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The US has recently claimed that China was considering arming Russia, but there has yet to be evidence of the matter. A senior EU official, however, said during a briefing on Friday that China’s possible arming of Russia with weapons would be an “absolute red line” and that the bloc would respond with sanctions.
Over the weekend, two US officials said two Ukrainian pilots are in Arizona to fly flight simulators and to be evaluated by the US military. This comes as Washington has not commented on whether it will be sending fighter jets or remotely piloted drones to Ukraine. While the West has provided arms and, in recent months, battle tanks to Ukraine, Kyiv has yet to secure pledges for fighter jets.
A US defense official familiar with the matter said the “familiarization event” in Arizona is a first and will oversee dialogue between Ukrainian and US personnel as well as provide an opportunity to see how the US Air Force operates.