The US and Germany will stand together against Russian aggression, President Joe Biden says as he welcomed outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel to Washington.
Mr Biden says he had voiced concern to Mrs Merkel over a Russia-to-Germany gas pipeline, but they agreed Moscow cannot be allowed to use energy as a weapon.
The US president says the two allies also opposed anti-democratic actions by China.
Mrs Merkel, who has worked with four US presidents, is leaving office.
Mr Biden says they stand together and will continue to stand together to defend their eastern flank allies at Nato against Russian aggression,”
He acknowledged the two did not see eye to eye on the nearly complete $11bn (£8bn) Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline. The White House says it will be used by Russia as leverage over Ukraine and other neighbours.
