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Biden and Merkel 'united against Russia aggression' Biden and Merkel 'united against Russia aggression'
(32 minutes later)
Angela Merkel and four US presidentsAngela Merkel and four US presidents
The US and Germany will stand together against Russian aggression, President Joe Biden said as he welcomed outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel to Washington.The US and Germany will stand together against Russian aggression, President Joe Biden said as he welcomed outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel to Washington.
Mr Biden said he voiced concern to Ms Merkel over a Russia-to-Germany gas pipeline, but they agreed Moscow cannot be allowed to use energy as a weapon. Mr Biden said he had voiced concern to Mrs Merkel over a Russia-to-Germany gas pipeline, but they agreed Moscow cannot be allowed to use energy as a weapon.
The US president said the two allies also opposed China's efforts to "undermine" free societies. The US president said the two allies also opposed anti-democratic actions by China.
Ms Merkel, who has worked with four US presidents, is leaving office. Mrs Merkel, who has worked with four US presidents, is leaving office.
During Thursday's press conference, Mr Biden acknowledged the two did not see eye to eye on the nearly complete $11bn (£8bn) Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline, which the White House says will be used by Russia as leverage over Ukraine and other neighbours. "We stand together and will continue to stand together to defend our eastern flank allies at Nato against Russian aggression," Mr Biden told Thursday's joint news conference with Mrs Merkel.
"Good friends can disagree," Mr Biden said, flanked by Ms Merkel. He acknowledged the two did not see eye to eye on the nearly complete $11bn (£8bn) Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline. The White House has said it will be used by Russia as leverage over Ukraine and other neighbours.
Mr Biden also told reporters the US had no plans "at the moment" to send troops to Haiti amid growing unrest there. "Good friends can disagree," said Mr Biden, who recently waived sanctions against Nord Stream 2.
Asked about the protests in Cuba, Mr Biden said the "failed state" was repressing its citizens. The US president also said: "We will stand up for democratic principles and human rights when we see China or any other country working to undermine free and open societies."
Despite being strong trade partners, Berlin has at times been critical of Beijing on the issue of human rights.
Mr Biden also told reporters the US had no plans "at the moment" to send troops to Haiti amid growing unrest after the assassination of its president.
Asked about ongoing protests in Cuba, Mr Biden said the "failed state" was repressing its citizens.
"Communism is a failed system, a universally failed system," he said. "And I don't see socialism as a very useful substitute.""Communism is a failed system, a universally failed system," he said. "And I don't see socialism as a very useful substitute."
Both leaders emphasised the amicable nature of their visit, with Ms Merkel referring more than once to her host as "Dear Joe." Protests prompt Cuba to lift import tax on food
The German leader had her ups and downs with the three previous US presidents she worked with: George W Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump. Ex-soldiers 'knew of plot to kill Haiti president'
Ms Merkel, who became chancellor in 2005, is not running again in September's German parliamentary election. Both leaders emphasised the amicable nature of their hour-long meeting, with Ms Merkel referring more than once to her host as "Dear Joe".
Mr Biden told his guest: "I will miss seeing you at our summits."
Back home, Mrs Merkel's country dealt with heavy flooding that left dozens of people dead, and she expressed "sympathy" with the victims.
Flooding kills dozens in Germany and Belgium
The German leader had a frosty relationship with Mr Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, and occasional tension, too, with George W Bush and Barack Obama, the other two presidents her tenure has spanned.
Ms Merkel, who became chancellor in 2005, is not running again in September's elections. Her Christian Democratic Union leads opinion polls.