French President Emmanuel Macron Meets with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin
15 March 2024, 10:47 GMT
Updated 1 hour ago
French President Emmanuel Macron is meeting Germany’s Olaf Scholz in Berlin after a rift was exposed over Europe’s response to Russia’s war in Ukraine. The French leader has warned that the “security of Europe and the French is at stake in Ukraine” and if Russia wins Europe’s will be “reduced to zero”. But Mr Scholz has been far more cautious, ruling out the deployment of Germany’s Taurus cruise missiles.
Ukraine faces a critical arms shortage. The German chancellor has come under pressure to extend his government’s help, because a $60bn (£47bn; €55bn) US military aid package for Ukraine has been blocked in Congress by Republicans on the right. Germany remains Europe’s biggest source of military aid for Ukraine, but Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who is joining the two leaders in Berlin later, has said it is now up to their three countries to “mobilise all of Europe” to provide Ukraine with help. “True solidarity with Ukraine? Less words, more ammunition,” he posted on social media on Friday.
Differences between Paris and Berlin have deepened in recent weeks, after the German chancellor said long-range Taurus missiles would need German soldiers on the ground in Ukraine to look after them. President Macron has equally angered some of his European partners by suggesting that sending Western troops could not be ruled out. In an extended live interview on French TV on Thursday night he said it was not his wish, although “all these options are possible”.
Stressing that France was a force for peace, he warned that Russia was seeking to extend its power and would not stop now: “If we leave Ukraine alone, if we let Ukraine lose this war, then for sure Russia will threaten Moldova, Romania and Poland.”
Ahead of Friday’s meeting of the three leaders, billed as a bid to revive the so-called “Weimar Triangle”, the German chancellor told Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky over the phone that the summit was of great importance to “organise as much support as possible for Ukraine”. Mr Zelensky went on social media to say he had told the German leader that Ukraine’s priorities were “armoured vehicles, artillery, and air defence”.
Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned on Thursday that Ukrainians were “not running out of courage, they are running out of ammunition”, more than two years after Russia’s full-scale invasion began. He said the shortage was one of the reasons why Russia had made recent advances on the battlefield, and he called on Nato allies to provide Ukraine with what it needed. A Czech-led initiative to source weapons from outside Europe has already raised enough funds to buy at least 300,000 shells and Prague officials say the first deliveries will arrive by June at the latest.
Implications and Future Trends
The meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin comes at a critical time as tensions escalate in Ukraine. The differing approaches of the two leaders towards Russia’s war in Ukraine have highlighted a divide in Europe’s response to the conflict.
Macron’s warning about the potential consequences for Europe’s security if Russia emerges victorious in Ukraine underscores the significance of the situation. His calls for increased support and ammunition for Ukraine indicate the urgent need to bolster the country’s defense capabilities.
On the other hand, Scholz’s cautious approach, ruling out the deployment of Germany’s Taurus cruise missiles, highlights the delicate balance between avoiding further escalation and providing assistance to Ukraine. The blocking of the US military aid package in Congress emphasizes the importance of European countries taking on a larger role in supporting Ukraine.
The deepening differences between Paris and Berlin reflect the complexities of the situation. Macron’s suggestion that Western troops cannot be ruled out has raised concerns among European partners, while Scholz’s insistence on the presence of German soldiers on the ground for missile deployment illustrates the practical challenges involved.
The potential implications of this conflict extend beyond Ukraine. Macron’s warning about Russia’s intentions to extend its power raises the specter of further aggression, potentially threatening neighboring countries such as Moldova, Romania, and Poland. The stability of the entire region hangs in the balance.
Looking ahead, it is crucial for European leaders to find common ground and coordinate their efforts to provide effective support to Ukraine. The “Weimar Triangle” summit aims to revive cooperation between France, Germany, and Poland, and it represents an opportunity to mobilize broader European assistance.
The urgent need for ammunition and military aid highlighted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as the call from Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, underscores the gravity of the situation. Nato allies must step up and provide the necessary resources to prevent further advances by Russia.
Furthermore, the Czech-led initiative to source weapons from outside Europe demonstrates the determination of some countries to support Ukraine. This indicates a potential trend of increased collaboration between non-European nations and Ukraine, which could have implications for the balance of power in the region.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues to evolve, it is crucial for European leaders to find diplomatic and strategic solutions. A united front and a strong show of support for Ukraine will not only protect its sovereignty but also safeguard the security and stability of the wider region.