Merkel in Washington for Obama talks
February 9, 2015
During the meeting with President Obama, Chancellor Merkel had been expected to express her opposition to calls in Washington for the US to begin arming the Ukrainian military in their fight against pro-Russian separatists in the country's war-torn east.
"I am convinced that this conflict won't be solved by military means," she told the Munich Security Conference at the weekend.
Like many of Germany's fellow European nations, Merkel believes that providing Ukraine with weapons would simply escalate the conflict which has left 5,400 people dead in less than a year.
Following their meeting in the Oval Office on Monday, Obama and Merkel will hold a joint press conference ahead of a working lunch.
Merkel's visit to the States comes just two days ahead of a Ukraine crisis summit, which is to take place in the Belarusian capital, Minsk.
In recent days the US has denied any rift between Germany and the US over the handling of the Ukraine crisis and the supply of weapons.
"Let me assure everybody, there is no division, there is no split," US Secretary John Kerry insisted last week.
Also on the Agenda for Monday's talks in Washington is counterterrorism, "Islamic State" (IS), Afghanistan and Iran, as well as economic growth, international trade, climate change and Germany's plans for hosting the G-7 Summit on June 7 and 8 at Schloss Elmau.
Following her meeting with Obama, Merkel will fly to the Canadian capital, Ottawa, later on Monday to hold further talks with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
ksb/rg (AFP, dpa)