New German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday held his first meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron as both nations are making efforts towards the de-escalation of tensions between Russia and Ukraine
The leaders spoke in a joint news conference in Paris, during Scholz’s first visit abroad after his coalition government was sworn in earlier in the week. The German Chancellor then headed to Brussels where he met with European Union and NATO officials.
The talks come as U.S. President Joe Biden this week moved to take a more direct role in diplomacy between Ukraine and Russia. In recent years, France and Germany have played the mediator role in the conflict.
Biden has pressed Russia’s Vladimir Putin to step back after a massive buildup of troops on the Ukraine border that has created growing concern in Washington and European capitals, as well as in Ukraine itself.
“We all view the situation on the Ukrainian border with concern,” Scholz said. “We’re clear that the inviolability of borders in Europe is one of the principles that all in Europe must accept for our common security. … This rule goes for everyone.”
In Brussels he met with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council chief Charles Michel in Brussels.
During a joint press conference with the Commission chief, Scholz stressed that the parties in his coalition government are all pro-European. / Argumentum.al
