Biden: Russia must not be allowed to use energy as weapon

United States President Joe Biden stated during his press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday that the two countries will address “democratic backsliding corruption, phony populism in the European Union, in the candidates for EU membership or anywhere we find it in the world.” He added Washington and Berlin will also “stand up for democratic principles and universal rights when we see China or any other country working to undermine free and open societies.”

Biden spoke about Russia as well, affirming that the US and Russia “stand together and will continue to stand together to defend our eastern flank, allies at NATO against Russian aggression.” Turning to Nord Stream 2, he said he and Merkel spoke about their differences on the subject, but agreed that “Russia must not be allowed to use energy as a weapon to coerce or threaten its neighbors.”