I think Biden thought that Germany would end NS2 if Russia invaded the Ukraine, but that he was also prepared to sharpen sanctions if the Germans didn't do so.

I think Biden thought that Germany would end NS2 if Russia invaded the Ukraine, but that he was also prepared to sharpen sanctions if the Germans didn't do so. I wouldn't read too much into Scholz' expression of unity with the US position. The German government almost never criticizes the US government (with some very rare exceptions, such as in 2003, in the lead-up to the Iraq War). If you ever want to hear German government spokespeople tying themselves into knots, just listen to them try to explain their position on the US prosecution of Assange,[0] or on whether Germany would give asylum to Snowden.[1] 0. https://youtu.be/tyRKt_3RJpg https://youtu.be/tyRKt_3RJpg 1. https://youtu.be/-pitc_FWm2Q https://youtu.be/-pitc_FWm2Q