The crisis in Ukraine and the threat of a Russian invasion looming over the Russian-Ukrainian border were found, as expected, were the focus of a joint press conference between Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron ahead of a planned working dinner in Berlin last night.
The two countries are even taking a leading role in coordinating European actions as France holds the six-month presidency of the European Union and Germany is expected to host the G7 summit next June.
The first word in diplomacy but
Olaf Scholz described the situation on the Russian-Ukrainian border as "extremely difficult", with the French president noting that the two countries were monitoring developments in the region minute by minute.
The two leaders stressed from Berlin the need to find a jointly coordinated diplomatic solution for Ukraine. The German Chancellor stressed that now "everything must be done" to overcome the crisis through dialogue and that in case of further escalation from the Russian side there would be a coordinated response. Emmanuel Macron, using clearer language, said that "if there is an invasion there will be retaliation and the price (for Russia) will be high." For his part, the German chancellor said any threat to Ukrainian territorial integrity would draw "significant consequences" for Moscow.
Continuing today in Paris
In an attempt to defend German positions, given criticism of his country's controversial stance on Ukraine and its refusal to hand over defensive weapons to the country, Olaf Scholz refrained from responding directly, citing "serious efforts on the part of Germany to support economic development and the evolution of democratic institutions in Ukraine."
This morning the diplomatic baton is passed to the "Normandy Group" meeting in Paris at the level of senior political advisers of France, Germany, Ukraine and Russia. Another crucial phone call is also expected on Friday, this time between Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Source: Deutsche Welle
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source[/URL]
