After U.S. Spied on Her, Obama Now Needs Merkel’s Help With Russia

President Barack Obama, left, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, smile during a meeting with other G7 world leaders in The Hague, Netherlands, on March 24, 2014.

Image: Jerry Lampen, POOL/Associated Press

By Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai2014-05-02 13:45:49 UTC

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will visit the White House on Friday for the first time since allegations of the NSA spying on her strained relations between the two governments.

Merkel is meeting with President Barack Obama to discuss Russia and the crisis in eastern Ukraine, and whether the U.S., as well as the European Union, should levy more sanctions on Vladimir Putin's government. So far, the current sanctions haven't caused much pain for Russia.

"Theres no question that the situation in Ukraine [...] will be a focus of the conversation between President Obama and Chancellor Merkel," said White House press secretary Jay Carey on Thursday, during his daily press meeting.

Carney underscored how Germany and the U.S. are allies, working together on common challenges. "One of those challenges now when it comes to Europe is the assault on the sovereignty and territorial integrity that Russia has been waging against Ukraine," he said."So I'm sure that will be an issue."

Officials from both governments have hinted that harsher economic sanctions on Russia will be on the table, according to the Associated Press. And Carney confirmed that more sanctions are definitely a possibility.

"We expect to continue a path that sees an international coalition escalating the costs that Russia will have to endure and pay if Russia refuses to keep its commitments and instead either through the means that it's been using thus far continues to destabilize the situation in eastern Ukraine and southern Ukraine or even goes further and uses its forces to cross the border," Carney said.

The White House sees Germany as a bridge between the U.S., Europe and Russia because Merkel has kept in touch with Putin and has heavy influence on other European leaders. However, experts say Germany may not be interested in crippling Russia's economy, given its deep ties with German industries.

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After U.S. Spied on Her, Obama Now Needs Merkel's Help With Russia