German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has called French leader Emmanuel Macron’s call to stop being cowards in supporting Ukraine useless, and criticised his remarks about sending Western troops to Kyiv.
However, the White House responded to Macron’s call that US troops would not fight in Ukraine. Also, the Biden administration said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not ask for foreign troops and wanted to fight on his own.
Meanwhile, Franco-German tensions over the war in Ukraine are escalating. France has long voiced discontent that Germany views relations with Washington as a cornerstone of European security, and Germany is irritated by Macron’s late transformation into a self-proclaimed military leader, especially when Berlin has provided Ukraine with far more weapons than Paris.
Speaking at a meeting with the French community, Macron said:
“Europe clearly faces a moment when it will be necessary not to be cowards. People never want to see the tragedies that are coming.”
He believes that France and the Czech Republic are aware of what is happening in Europe – namely that war has returned to European soil. The French leader also added:
“We must do justice to history and the courage it requires. That is also our responsibility.”
Boris Pistorius responded that Macron’s remarks were counterproductive. Pistorius said this to journalists during a press conference with his Swedish colleague Pal Jonsson:
“We don’t need really, from my perspective at least, talk about boots on the ground or having more courage or less courage. This is something which does not really help solve the issues we have when it comes to helping Ukraine.”
French President Emmanuel Macron has said on 26 February that sending Western ground troops to Ukraine “cannot be ruled out” as European allies announced new measures to deliver ammunition and support to Kyiv.
