Scholz meets Biden, claims unity, can’t say “Nord Stream”

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Washington, D.C.
on Feb. 7 and president Joe Biden at the White House. At a press conference
after their discussions, Biden stated that if there was a further military
incursion by Russia “there will be no longer a Nord Stream 2.  We will
bring an end to it.” Biden assured the journalists present that “the notion
that … Nord Stream 2 would go forward with an invasion by the Russians — it’s
just not going to happen,” whitehouse.gov reported on Feb. 7.

However, Scholz, despite being urged to do so by the
press, refused to mention Nord Stream by name. Scholz did switch to English,
however, and told reporters that: “We will be united, we will act together, and
we will take all the necessary steps.  And all the necessary steps will be
done by all of us together.”

James Hydzik: One interpretation of Scholz’ words is that Germany has at least a
limited veto. “…done by all of us together” could mean that both the
Americans and the Germans will have the last word depending on the
circumstances as to what sanctions are enacted. There could be a German demand
to find a certain volume of gas from elsewhere, which the Americans  are
openly searching for. Scholz will come to Kyiv on the week of Feb. 14 as the
shuttle diplomacy continues.