Biden speaks with new German chancellor on Russia-Ukraine tensions
President Joe Biden delivers closing remarks at the virtual Summit for Democracy, in the South Court Auditorium on the White House campus in Washington, Dec. 10. AP-Yonhap
US President Joe Biden said Friday he called Germany's new chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and discussed tensions on the Ukrainian border, where tens of thousands of Russian troops are massed.
Biden tweeted he had called Scholz to congratulate him on becoming the German leader. "I look forward to working closely together on the full range of global challenges, including transatlantic efforts to address Russia's destabilizing military buildup," he wrote.
New German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during a joint press conference with the European Council President, following their meeting, at the EU headquarters, in Brussels, Dec. 10. AFP-Yonhap
The call with Scholz capped an intense week of telephone diplomacy for Biden on Ukraine, which fears a Russian invasion.
On Tuesday, Biden spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, warning him of severe economic sanctions if the troops he has deployed to the border go on the attack.
He also said the United States would work with Russia in restarting diplomacy between the two.
Biden spoke to major European powers before and after the Putin talks. On Thursday he called the president of Ukraine and the leaders of nine eastern European allies.
Scholz took over from his long-standing predecessor Angela Merkel this week.
In a statement, the White House said Scholz and Biden also discussed a "full range of global challenges, including continued efforts to end the Covid-19 pandemic, countering the threat of climate change, and addressing Russia's escalation of forces surrounding Ukraine." (AFP)