In Berlin, Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz reiterated on Tuesday their solidarity with Kiev and their determination against Moscow while hoping that dialogue with Russia could help achieve de-escalation.
Emmanuel Macron’s first trip to Berlin since the election of new Chancellor Olaf Scholz was largely devoted to tensions between Ukraine and Russia. To show their unity and resolve towards Moscow in the event of Russian aggression against Ukraine, the two leaders used the same terms, promising ” a very high cost for Russia “.
Beyond the current crisis, the French president has denounced Vladimir Putin’s policy of destabilization in the former Soviet sphere of influence, reports our correspondent in Berlin, Pascal Thibault. ” The situation in which we find ourselves today requires the preparation of a common reaction which will be graduated according to these maneuvers “, he announced.
Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz nevertheless pleaded for the maintenance of dialogue with Moscow and welcomed the many diplomatic meetings of the last few days. This Wednesday, discussions in Normandy format are to take place in Paris at the level of political advisers from Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany. On Friday, Emmanuel Macron will ask his counterpart Poutine for “ clarifications during a telephone interview.
Scholz defends himself
” We need to talk. We argue but we have to try to progress and get out of this delicate situation. I am satisfied with the leadership we are currently seeing », greeted the Chancellor. ” We therefore expect Russia to take clear steps to contribute to a de-escalation of the situation and we all agree that military aggression would have serious consequences “, he however warned.
Asked about Germany’s refusal, criticized by other countries, to deliver arms to Ukraine when several European countries intend to do so, Olaf Scholz defended himself: ” The German government has consistently rejected deliveries of lethal weapons in recent years, but we have done a lot to support the economy and democracy in Ukraine. »
More broadly, Germany is criticized by some for a position deemed too soft with regard to Moscow. For the daily Tagesspiegel, the desire of Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz to continue the dialogue with Russia brings the two men closer.