German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron Unite in Support of Ukraine
MESEBERG — In a powerful display of solidarity, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron joined forces to show their unwavering support for Ukraine during a Franco-German defense and security council in Meseberg on Tuesday.
Despite previous disagreements, Chancellor Scholz took a significant step towards Macron’s position on Ukraine, signaling a shift in Germany’s stance on the use of Western weapons against Russian targets.
Setting their differences aside, both leaders reached a compromise on the contentious issue of EU defense, with Scholz expressing greater openness towards providing military aid to Ukraine.
Scholz emphasized that Ukraine has the right to defend itself under international law and should be allowed to target military sites within Russia, marking a crucial turning point for Berlin’s policy towards the conflict.
While Germany remains hesitant to supply long-range missiles to Ukraine, unlike Paris and Washington DC, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a warning of “serious consequences” if Western countries supported Ukrainian strikes on Russian targets.
Meanwhile, Macron sought to mend fences with Berlin following disagreements over the European anti-missile shield project and differing views on economic relations with China and the US.
The historic state visit aimed to showcase a united front between France and Germany as both leaders brace for potential defeats against far-right parties in the upcoming European elections.
Marie Krpata, a researcher at the Committee for Franco-German Relations (Cerfa) in Paris, highlighted the significance of Macron’s visit to Germany in reaffirming his pro-European stance amidst rising support for the far-right Rassemblement National in France.
As election trends show the Christian democratic alliance CDU/CSU leading in Germany and the far-right Alternative for Germany gaining ground, the unity between Scholz and Macron becomes increasingly crucial in navigating the complex political landscape of Europe. — Euronews
