French President Macron and German Chancellor Scholz cemented the relationship between their countries last night over dinner at a small restaurant in Potsdam, Germany. According to historian and France expert Niek Pas of the University of Amsterdam, Scholz sends out a strong signal with the intimate dinner.
France and Germany had a rather rocky relationship last year, but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. Both Scholz and Macron appear to have taken turns of late, not least in the war in Ukraine. “This is confirmation of the renewed relationship,” says Pas.
“Germany has already done that tour that France is doing now, and they meet again”
According to the historian, the two countries disagree on all current issues, but do agree on broader geopolitical issues, especially regarding the war in the east. He only sees that since the outbreak of war, Macron in particular has turned to Kiev when it comes to supporting Ukraine and ensuring the country’s security.
Tour
Macron first tried to follow a truly diplomatic path by keeping the line open with Moscow, but after all the criticism he abandoned that course of action. «Formally there are no more talks with Moscow. There will certainly still be consultations behind the door, but outwardly he has expressed much greater and much clearer support for a sovereign Ukraine.”
Macron is technically in good company: Scholz too made a breakthrough after the Russian invasion, investing heavily in better defense, support for Ukraine and arms deliveries to Kiev. Germany initially had a relatively pacifist orientation and had always focused on Moscow, all of this is now a thing of the past.
Personal
“We could say that Germany has already done that tour that France is doing now, and they meet again.” Not only on a political and diplomatic level, the two heads of state have become closer, according to Pas there also seems to be a smaller distance between the two rather different characters on a personal level.
What else was on the menu besides Ukraine? According to Pas, Kosovo will certainly have been discussed and there will be preparatory talks in view of the next NATO summit. “And especially how NATO will position it vis-à-vis Ukraine.”
Source: BNR
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