At the EU summit in Brussels, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) once again warned against a “dictated peace” in Ukraine. “It is very important that we ensure that Ukraine does not have to accept a dictated peace,” Scholz said on the sidelines of the meeting of EU heads of state and government on Thursday (06.03.).
It should be about “a just and fair peace that guarantees the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.” According to Scholz, this would include “a strong Ukrainian army even in peacetime.” Ukraine must remain a “sovereign, democratic, independent nation,” the German chancellor stressed. “It will not be able to do this on its own.” Scholz warned against complacency when it comes to US President Donald Trump. “We must ensure that Ukraine continues to be supported,” he said. That includes financial and military support from the Europeans and the US.
French President Emmanuel Macron takes the initiative before the EU summit on Ukraine and offers nuclear protection to European partners. In the face of the Russian threat, France is open to using its nuclear weapons to protect its European partners, French President Emmanuel Macron has said. “Our nuclear deterrent capacity protects us: it is complete, sovereign and entirely French,” Macron said in a televised address to the nation on Wednesday. He described Russia as a threat to France and Europe. The war in Ukraine is now a “global conflict,” Macron continued.
Concerns from Germany
Macron's initiative is likely also due to concerns from incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about whether NATO will remain in its current form until June. "In response to the historic call of the incoming German Chancellor, I have decided to open the strategic debate on the defense of our allies on the European continent through our nuclear threat," the French president said.
Friedrich Merz has spoken out in favor of talks with France and Great Britain on expanding nuclear defense. France and Great Britain are the only two nuclear powers in Europe.
Macron's initiative in France has been met with criticism. Opposition leader Marine Le Pen is strongly opposed to expanding the nuclear shield in Europe. With the offer, Macron "undermines our threat," Le Pen said.
Reaction from Russia
The Russian government accused the French president of losing touch with reality. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said: "If he considers us a threat, calls a meeting of the chiefs of general staff of European countries and Britain, declares that the use of nuclear weapons is necessary and prepares to use nuclear weapons against Russia, then of course this is a threat," Lavrov said, according to the Russian state news agency RIA.
Meanwhile, Russia is not only verbally attacking Europe, but is also continuing the war against Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military, according to its own data, has destroyed 68 Russian drones in the early hours of Thursday. The Russian armed forces attacked Ukraine with 112 drones and two ballistic missiles. The target was also the infrastructure in the Odessa region in southern Ukraine.
France is providing Ukraine with information from French secret services. The news was announced by French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu. The US had announced earlier on Wednesday that it would suspend the exchange of intelligence information with Ukraine. This is a serious blow to Ukraine's defense against Russian attacks./ DW (A2 Televizion)
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