On March 15 in Berlin, Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz will meet to ease tensions between France and Germany. The disagreement between the two countries has been ongoing, particularly regarding aid to Ukraine. Macron suggested sending troops to Ukraine, a move that Scholz publicly disagreed with, leading to a strained relationship. Despite their differing personalities and approaches, both leaders share a common goal of supporting Ukraine. However, their perspectives diverge on the military and strategic aspects of this support.
Macron spoke from Prague on March 5, emphasizing the need for Europe to be brave and not cowardly in the face of current challenges. However, his remarks were perceived as an affront by some in Germany, leading to tensions in the Franco-German relationship. The underlying causes of the strained relationship can be traced back to the start of the conflict in Ukraine and its impact on Germany’s economy. The functioning of the German government coalition under Scholz has also contributed to the tensions with France.
Efforts to improve the Franco-German relationship have been ongoing, with seminars and meetings aimed at addressing and resolving the underlying issues. However, it is clear that more work is needed to rebuild trust and collaboration between the two countries. The upcoming meeting between Macron and Scholz in Berlin is eagerly anticipated as it could have far-reaching consequences for Europe.