Scholz and Macron demonstrate unanimity

At a joint press conference (25.01) with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Chancellor’s headquarters in Berlin, Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke of a difficult situation along the Ukrainian-Russian border. He again warned Russia of the consequences of an attack on the neighboring country. “Many troops have been deployed there and therefore it is necessary to contribute with all possible means, so that the situation does not develop worse than it currently is,” said Scholz. “So we expect Russia to take clear steps to contribute to reducing tensions, and we all agree that a military aggression could have serious consequences.”

Macron will hold talks with Putin on Friday

Macron also said preparations were being made for a joint response in the event of an aggression, warning: “The price would be quite high.” Germany and France are united in conflict and both countries are calling for a relaxation of the situation. Macron again drew attention to the fact that the dialogue with Russia should not be interrupted.

Macron said he would speak by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the conflict in Ukraine: “I will communicate with President Putin on Friday morning.” Referring to a personal meeting next with the head of the Kremlin, Macron spoke of a common format with Scholz.

The next Normandy Summit in Germany

The President of France against the background of the march of Russian troops stressed the importance of the Normandy format. Germany and France in this context consult together with Ukraine and Russia. Talks begin on Wednesday (26.01) in Paris, according to Macron the next meeting will be held in Germany.

The Normandy format was initiated in 2014 for the resolution of the conflict in eastern Ukraine and through it the Minsk agreement was reached in 2015. Finally the situation escalated significantly into conflict. The last summit between Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine took place in 2019 in Paris at the Elysée Palace.

Given the massive movements of Russian troops near Ukraine, the West fears the Kremlin may plan to intervene in the neighboring country. It is considered possible, however, that the aim is only to arouse fear, to urge NATO states to make concessions in line with Kremlin demands to provide new security guarantees.

German-French unit

Scholz and Macron, despite the substantive differences between the two countries on certain topics, stressed the willingness for close cooperation in other sectors as well.

Both are aware of the fact that joint solutions must be developed. “Germany is not France and France is not Germany, but we are extremely close,” Macron said. He acknowledged that the two countries’ governments have differing views on the use of atomic energy and its classification as sustainable energy in the EU, or on arms exports.

It is a common task in the direction, that the friendship develops despite some substantive differences, said Scholz. Both stressed that they have known each other for a long time. “So this is a good premise for cooperation, which we have undertaken for the future. “We will succeed,” said the chancellor.

Scholz on December 10 paid his first visit after taking up the post in Paris. The meeting in Berlin was the second bilateral meeting. At the center of the talks after the press conference was the coordination regarding the current French presidency in the EU and the German presidency in the group of industrialized countries G7./DW

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