As President Joe Biden hosted German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in a show of solidarity against Moscow on Friday, the United States offered an additional $400 million in security assistance in response to a Russian warning against arming Ukraine.Oliver Scolz
In the meantime, the leader of the Russian Wagner mercenary group claimed that Moscow's forces had "practically encircled" the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, the scene of the invasion's heaviest fighting. Kyiv's ability to hold out against Moscow's military assault and even gain ground has been largely due to Western military assistance, but the Kremlin claimed that this would only "prolong the conflict and have sad consequences for the Ukrainian people."Arms deliveries "place a significant burden on the economies of these countries and negatively affect the well-being of citizens of these countries, including Germany," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Washington disregarded this advice when it unveiled the new security package for Kyiv, which included ammunition for the Himars precision rocket system, which Ukrainian forces have used to devastating effect against Russian troops and supply depots. After disagreements over tank deliveries to Ukraine, Biden welcomed Scholz to the White House for his first visit to the nation's capital since Russia's invasion.
In his brief remarks to the press, Biden stated that when they last met, "Russia was amassing its troops" on the border. He added that the West had promised to respond, and "together we made good on that promise."
In response, Scholz stated that it was crucial to let Ukraine know that "we will continue to (support it) as long as it takes and as long as it necessary." The lack of a joint press conference raised concerns that there might still be issues, but the two leaders made an effort to allay those fears. Scholz stated that the bilateral relationship was "in a very good shape."
US Attorney General Merrick Garland made an unexpected trip to Ukraine on Friday to attend a conference on justice and war crimes, showing his support for Ukraine in yet another way. The attorney general held several meetings and reiterated the Justice Department's commitment to holding Russia accountable for the crimes committed during its unjust and unprovoked invasion of its sovereign neighbor.