Germany and US determined to preserve peace as Scholz acknowledges Putin's threat and advocates increased aid for Ukraine

US President Joe Biden, in a press conference, held Congress accountable for "criminal negligence" if they failed to sanction funding support for Ukraine. He also expressed gratitude to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his considerable efforts towards securing military backing for Kyiv.

"I appreciate your leadership, Olaf, from the very beginning. Something many regarded as impossible is what you achieved. You doubled Germany's military aid for Ukraine within the year" - Biden said.

Scholz assured that Germany is prepared to augment its support, especially regarding weapons supplies to Ukraine.

"Germany and the US need to assert their parts in preserving world peace, which is most noticeable in the face of the persistent Russian aggression in Ukraine. All efforts need to be mobilised towards giving Ukraine the chance to safeguard its nation," Scholz added.

"Germany aims to lead in European security and supporting Ukraine, but their imperative requirement is for the US to continue steering the West." – Lidia Gibadło, an Eastern Studies Centre analyst, commented.

The German Chancellor also referred to Putin's interview with American commentator Tucker Carlson, labelling it as "absurd". Putin "intends to annex part of his neighbours' territory," stated Scholz.

The politicians also discussed the impending crisis in the Middle East. Biden conveyed that negotiations are ongoing for the liberation of hostages and heightening of humanitarian aid for civilians in the Gaza Strip.

The U.S. Senate, on Wednesday, voted to advance a set of measures to support Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. This occured a day after a proposition to combine these measures with immigration reforms was declined. The Senate bill proposes an additional budget expenditure of roughly £71 billion, of which about £45 billion will be allocated specifically for aid to Ukraine.

Despite the Senate's fundamental step towards adopting Ukraine's funding, the fate of the package remains unclear. The Senate will consider amendments in the subsequent stage before conducting a vote on the final approval. Although the Senate will likely approve the bill, it still needs to pass the House of Representatives. House Speaker Mike Johnson previously protested the combination of aid directed at Israel and Ukraine.

"Olaf Scholz's visit significantly corresponds to the standstill over Ukraine's aid in the US Congress. Scholz seems to be intent on lobbying for quick aid for Ukraine, while learning how long the stagnation over assistance for Kyiv could continue," Lidia Gibadło stated.

Despite acknowledging Scholz's slim chances of diplomatic success in this domain, the analyst accentuates the German leader's wish to underscore "the urgency of Congress adopting the aid package as soon as possible."

- "It also signifies that drifting towards isolationism will cost the US substantially more than the assistance they are providing to Ukraine," she added.

Simultaneously, Germany is primarily demonstrating to Republicans that they have "learned their lesson". They are making a U-turn in their security policy and are no longer "free riding" in this aspect, although updating the Bundeswehr continues to pose a challenge. "As we recall, this was the allegation levelled at Berlin by Donald Trump," Gibadło pointed out.

"If the USA blocks this aid, the situation becomes convoluted and Berlin is eager to stay a step behind the US. Even before the war onset, Germany adopted the principle that the US will substantially mold the West's reaction to Russia," explains the OSW analyst.

Gibadło reminded that the USA was instrumental in overcoming Berlin's hesitation to deliver heavy armament to Ukraine.

"The campaign unfolding in the US has its unique set of rules, and the issue isn't solely about Scholz's influence but concerns America's domestic politics. The German government is probably considering a worst-case scenario and fears that by the end of the presidential campaign, the aid package for Kyiv might indeed be obstructed," stated Gibadło.