Germany Macron sees Europe as more responsible for Ukraine
Following US President Donald Trump's announcement that he will hold talks with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin about peace in Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron is also calling for more commitment from Europe.
14.02.2025, 04:33
SDA
In an interview with the Financial Times, the French head of state said that he accepts that Europe is responsible for ensuring the security of Ukraine. "What Trump is saying to Europe is that it's up to you to carry the burden. And I say it's up to us to take it on," said Macron.
Macron emphasized that only the Ukrainian head of state Volodymyr Zelenskyi himself could negotiate for his country. "The only question that arises at the moment is whether President Putin is really, sustainably and credibly prepared to agree to a ceasefire on this basis," said Macron. After that, it would be up to the Ukrainians to negotiate with Russia.
In Macron's opinion, Europe should take Trump's return to the White House as an opportunity to invest more in its own defense. "This is the moment for Europe to accelerate and implement things", said Macron at the Élysée Palace. This also includes developing "a fully integrated European defense, industrial and technological base", said Macron. This goes far beyond a debate on spending. "If we only become more dependent on the USA, then in 20 years we will still not have solved the issue of European sovereignty," he criticized.
The Trump-led US government wants to provide Ukraine with significantly less military and financial aid for its defensive campaign and expects the gaps to be filled by its partners on the other side of the Atlantic. Should it be agreed in possible peace negotiations that a peacekeeping force is needed, the Europeans would also be responsible from the US perspective. The US does not want to station troops in Ukraine itself and rules out the possibility of Nato playing a role.
Macron went on to say that the European Union must also consider "innovative financing solutions" for a stronger defense, such as joint borrowing as in times of the pandemic. Germany has so far strictly rejected joint borrowing for defense projects. However, according to the Financial Times, Macron hopes that this stance could change after the German parliamentary elections on February 23.
