Methods and structures are provided for electrically coupling a conductor and a conductive element containing a dissimilar material. A method for electrically coupling a first element containing a first conductive material to a conductor formed of a dissimilar second material includes cladding a second conductive element with the conductor. The second element contains a facilitator material that facilitates the melting of the dissimilar material. A third element containing a third conductive material that is metallurgically compatible with the facilitator material is cladded with a fourth element containing a fourth conductive material that is metallurgically compatible with the first conductive material to form a connector. The fourth element is welded to the first element and the second element is welded to the third element.