French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné sees no rift between Berlin and Paris despite the differences between French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Scholz.
In an interview of the French Foreign Minister, Stéphane Séjourné for the French newspaper, "Le Monde", it is emphasized that there is no division between Germany and France regarding Ukraine. "There is no German-French conflict, we agree on 80% of the topics", Séjourné told "Le Monde" on Saturday. Furthermore, Stéphane Séjourné emphasized that he talked with his German colleague, Annalena Baerbock, and that the two will meet on Tuesday in Paris. "There is a will to talk to each other." Germany and France have the "same goal, to support Ukraine", said the French Foreign Minister. "No drama" here.
Macron rejects the idea of Western troops in Ukraine
The obvious point of disagreement between Germany and France is currently the way of aid given to Ukraine brutally attacked by Russia. At an international conference on Ukraine on Monday, Macron drew attention to countries that were reserved to supply Ukraine with heavy weapons, alluding to German reluctance to supply weapons at the start of the war.
Beyond that, Macron said that sending Western troops to Ukraine should not be ruled out. This was met with complete rejection in Europe. Chancellor Scholz took a clear stand against sending Western troops to Ukraine.
The French Foreign Minister, Séjourné, rejected the assessment that the debate about the military presence in Ukraine has electoral motives. In June, the elections for the European Parliament take place. "The issue is (…)existential." He emphasized that "he would prefer to have a broad consensus."