By CNN Staff

updated 5:15 PM EDT, Fri May 2, 2014

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Washington (CNN) -- President Barack Obama and visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel acknowledged Friday that differences remain between their governments on surveillance programs in the aftermath of disclosures by classified leaker Edward Snowden.

Obama told reporters at a joint news conference at the White House that "we're not perfectly aligned," noting the United States has no "blanket no-spy agreement" with any country, including close allies.

Merkel later told business leaders that a balance must be struck between technical capability, security needs and privacy.

"In a nutshell, an end never justifies the means and not everything that's technically feasible ought to be done," she said.

Germany and other friendly countries complained when Snowden's disclosures last year revealed U.S. surveillance of foreign leaders as well as screening of foreign phone calls and Internet contacts in investigating terrorist ties.

The Obama administration responded that all countries conduct surveillance on each other, but the President also has ordered changes in U.S. programs.

Obama said Friday that "it has pained me to see the degree to which" the Snowden disclosures have strained the relationship with Germany, a key ally.

Here is the original post:
NSA spying still a sore spot between U.S. and Germany

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.

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