German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House, months before she steps down from her long-held position this fall. Biden raised his concerns over the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which is built between Russia and Germany. Despite the difference, Biden and Merkel agreed that Ukraine will remain a transit country for natural gas. Their discussions also covered curbing Russian influence, climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Iran nuclear issue.