The meeting was one of several high-level diplomatic encounters on Monday focused on what Western officials believe could be a near-term, highly lethal Russian assault on Ukraine. Also on Monday, President Biden welcomed German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the White House, highlighting the longstanding security ties between the two nations. “Germany is one of America’s closest allies, working in lockstep to further deter Russian aggression in Europe, and to address the challenges posed by China,” Biden said.