WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz vowed on Friday to continue making Russia pay for its war in Ukraine, now in its second year, as an EU official said any weapons China provided to Russia would trigger sanctions.
A senior administration official said Biden and Schultz held a private meeting in the Oval Office that lasted more than an hour. Their discussion focused on the importance of continued "global solidarity" with the people of Ukraine and continued efforts to provide security, humanitarian, economic and political assistance to Ukraine.
Biden thanked the German leader for his "strong and steadfast leadership" and support for Ukraine. Scholz said it was important to demonstrate that the allies would support Kiev "whatever it takes and as long as necessary".
US officials said ahead of the meeting that the points for discussion include the state of war and how to respond if China provides military aid to Russia.
Schultz's short one-day visit was his second visit to the White House since taking office in December 2021. The US National Security Adviser also met with his German counterpart privately.
Last week, Reuters news agency quoted US officials and other sources as saying that Washington had begun consulting with allies about imposing possible sanctions on China if Beijing provided military support to Russia in its war in Ukraine.
Washington has said in recent weeks that China is considering providing weapons to Russia, although US officials have not presented evidence of this. Beijing has denied any intention to arm Russia.
"We haven't seen China do anything yet with regard to lethal weapons," White House press secretary Karen Jean-Pierre told reporters before the meeting.
"Every step China takes toward Russia makes it more difficult for China to deal with Europe and other countries around the world."
A senior EU official said in a separate briefing that China's provision of arms to Russia was an "absolute red line" and that the EU would respond with sanctions.