French President Emmanuel Macron and Germany's new Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed Wednesday to ramp up security cooperation, as the new German leader visited Paris on his first trip abroad.
Europe is seeking to boost its defenses amid Russia's war against Ukraine and doubts over US security commitments to Europe under President Donald Trump, but Merz insisted that any peace deal in Ukraine required a continued American commitment.
"We will set up a French-German defense and security council to meet regularly to bring operational responses to our common strategic challenges," Macron said at a joint press conference.
Merz, who became chancellor on Tuesday, is a committed European, transatlanticist, and Ukraine supporter who has pledged to restore Germany's role on the world stage after half a year of paralysis.
"We will take joint measures to further enhance Europe's security and defense capabilities," Merz said before heading to Poland later in the day.
Berlin, like other European capitals, has also been watching nervously as Trump seeks to push President Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin into a quick agreement on ending the war.
US-led mediation efforts have failed to stop the war, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio last month threatened to pull out of talks if there was not progress.
But Merz said war in Ukraine cannot end without the involvement of the United States.
"We cannot end this war in Ukraine without a continued involvement of the United States of America, this is not something that Europeans can substitute for," he said.
'We need the Americans'
He said any future ceasefire and security guarantees for Ukraine would also require US engagement.
France and Britain have been spearheading discussions among a "coalition of the willing" of 30 countries on the potential deployment of troops to secure any Ukraine ceasefire.
But, said Merz, "at the same time we are aware that we will continue to need the Americans," Merz said.
"We want the Americans to remain onboard and to meet their responsibilities within NATO and towards Ukraine," he said.
"President Trump has our full support when it comes to bringing about an end to the war," Merz said.
European countries are ready to participate in any future monitoring of a ceasefire "under the leadership, and with the participation of, the United States", he added.
The chancellor also said he wanted to discuss nuclear "deterrence" on the European continent with France and Britain.
"We will give our respective ministers the mandate to begin this discussion," Merz said, adding that any such arrangement would be "complementary to what we already have with our American partners within NATO."
Putin 'Finally Serious?'
The French leader said he doubted Putin would respect a three-day truce in Ukraine that he ordered to start at midnight Wednesday and wondered if the Russian leader was "serious" about a durable peace.
"Beyond the three days promised, which will undoubtedly not be respected, like the previous ones, is the Russian president finally serious?" Macron said.
"Will he finally decide to keep his word, especially the promises he made in his discussions with the US administration? That is what matters to us."
Ukraine has dismissed the three-day ceasefire as a "game" designed to protect a parade in Moscow rather than a genuine peace measure.
The Kremlin was forced Wednesday to say it was taking "all necessary measures" to ensure the safety of foreign leaders set to attend its flagship May 9 parade after a wave of Ukrainian drone attacks closed airports across the country, disrupting hundreds of flights.
Asked on Tuesday how Germany could seek to influence talks on a possible peace deal in the Ukraine war, Merz said there was a "proven format" of Berlin working with France and Britain.
Merz said he would "consult intensively" with France and Britain, adding that "if we can include the Poles, then it will be even better."
AFP
Comments