Biden, Scholz pledge to punish Russia over Ukraine war

US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have committed to continue imposing high costs on Russia for its war in Ukraine, while a European Union official said any arms provided by China to Russia would lead to sanctions.

Biden and Scholz met in Washington, DC as the United States announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth $400m that includes ammunition and tactical bridges to move tanks and armoured vehicles.

The meeting between the US and German leaders comes as US officials said Ukraine was bracing for a new Russian offensive in coming weeks. Officials in Washington said discussion points between the leaders included the state of the war and also how to respond if China provided military aid to Russia.

“As NATO allies, we’re making the alliance stronger,” Biden said.

Scholz said it was important to demonstrate that the allies would back Kyiv “as long as it takes and as long as is necessary”.

Germany has typically taken a much less hawkish stance than the US on China, its top trading partner, but Scholz sent a strong warning to China not to give Moscow weapons. He also appealed to Beijing to pressure Russia to pull back its forces.

“Don’t deliver any weapons to the aggressor Russia,” Scholz said in a speech to the German parliament ahead of his meeting with Biden.

The $400m military aid package for Ukraine announced adds to the nearly $32bn in aid the US has sent Ukraine to help it defend itself against Russia.