US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke by phone Tuesday to discuss, among other things, the urgency of continued support for Ukraine as it heads into the third year of an unwanted war with Russia,
DW reports.
A spokesman for Berlin said the leaders agreed that it was of the utmost importance to provide Ukraine with financial, humanitarian and military assistance as it continues to fight Russian forces.
Germany has pledged to provide Kyiv with more than €7 billion ($7.6 billion) in military hardware in 2024.
A White House statement said the two leaders "coordinated on their countries' ongoing steadfast support to Ukraine in the face of Russia's war of aggression."
The US is by far Ukraine's most important ally when it comes to fighting Russia. But Kyiv and its European allies are very concerned that Biden may be forced to cut Ukraine aid as hard-right Republicans hold funding for it hostage in a political budget battle.
Biden has reportedly invited a small group of congressional leaders to the White House for budget talks Wednesday, when they will discuss aid to Ukraine and Israel.
Currently, €61 billion in "critical" aid is being held up by Republican hardliners who say the money should be spent erecting a wall on the US' southern border with Mexico and reforming US immigration laws.
Biden has been at loggerheads with Republicans over aid to Kyiv since September. Observers say his talks with leaders could be a sign that he is once again prepared to engage with them before another government shutdown deadline arrives Friday.
