"It [the US] would obviously want Germany to take a harder line, but so long as the US can still use Germany as a base of operations, any other contribution would be a 'nice to have,' rather than necessary", Poast explained to Sputnik, citing the experience of the George W. Bush administration in 2003 when the US carried on with the invasion of Iraq despite German and French opposition.
"I think the US and Germany will put up a display of transatlantic unity [during Scholz's visit]. Differences on the means, or the severity of the economic sanctions, will remain, but fundamentally Germany will remain aligned with the US. If Russia does escalate in Ukraine, Germany will agree to an economic retaliation, and will likely put Nord Stream 2 on hold indefinitely", Alcaro told Sputnik.
"Their voices are becoming louder as tensions with Russia intensify. However, Scholz would probably agree to restrict Russian gas exports only in the event of a significant Russian military incursion into Ukraine that seems unlikely at the present time", Cafruny said.
"I think the Germans will do whatever they think is in their best interests with respect to Nord Stream 2. Nord Stream 2 is actually the main source of optimism I have about this situation being resolved. I think it is in the best interests of both Russia and Europe that the gas gets turned on, so I'm hopeful they will reach some kind of rapprochement", Kiewiet told Sputnik.