Biden and Scholz discuss support for Ukraine in Washington

BBC reports that Biden thanked the German leader for his country's "profound" support of Ukraine.

“You stepped up to provide critical military support, and I would argue, beyond the military support, the moral support you’ve given Ukrainians has been profound,” Biden claimed

Scholz said in response that Germany will support Ukraine as long as needed.

"This is a very, very important year because of the extremely dangerous threat to the world that comes from Russia invading Ukraine," Scholz said.

Scholz's visit came a few days after US security adviser Jake Sullivan said that Biden sent Abrams tanks to Ukraine only because Scholz made it a precondition for sending German Leopard 2s.

The decision was made by Biden against the recommendations of his military, Sullivan told ABC News.

Berlin insisted that Biden come to the conclusion that the Abrams deliveries were necessary and that the decision to provide tanks to Ukraine was a consensus.

• Some Ukrainian experts believe that the German chancellor was summoned to the White House for a “prophylactic conversation”