President Biden welcomed German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the White House on Thursday for what will likely be the final visit of one of America’s foremost allies before she leaves the post she’s held for 16 years, through four U.S. presidencies. Biden called Merkel “a great friend, a personal friend, and a friend of the United States” in comments to reporters as the two leaders began their meeting. Merkel is expected to leave the chancellorship after German elections in September. Negotiations between Biden and Merkel could result in a deal, not to scuttle the project but perhaps to secure Germany’s agreement to compensate Ukraine somehow. Despite pressure from Republicans in Congress, Biden has appeared eager to to find such a middle ground, Bremmer said.

Source: Los Angeles Times July 15, 2021 18:56 UTC