German chancellor, facing criticism at home, to meet with Biden amid concerns over Russia

They plan to discuss a sanctions package, the official said, as well as U.S. views about a major national gas pipeline connecting Germany and Russia. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which is nearly complete, has long been a thorny issue between the two countries, with the United States expressing concern that it could give Russia leverage over Germany while harming Ukraine by weakening its status as a conduit for Russian natural gas.