Negotiations on a major transatlantic trade accord known as TTIP are also on the weighty agenda during Merkel's two-day visit that begins Thursday, accompanied by a joint press conference, the White House said.
Earlier this week, Washington unveiled a raft of new sanctions against seven more individuals with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and 17 companies mostly controlled by some of his powerful allies over Moscow's actions in neighboring Ukraine.
'Failure of leadership'
Some US lawmakers have expressed dismay at what they say is Merkel's interference in progress on the Russia question.
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