Scholz: Germany, France, Poland 'united' to keep European peace
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The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the trio is united in working to keep the peace in Europe amid the Ukraine crisis.
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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin (EPA)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced Tuesday that Germany, France, and Poland are "united" in their efforts to keep Europe peaceful amid the Ukraine crisis.
Scholz told reporters that "We are united by the goal of maintaining peace in Europe through diplomacy and clear messages and the shared will to act in unison."
In a meeting with leaders of Germany and France in Berlin on Tuesday, Polish President Andrzej Duda expressed confidence that war might still be avoided by lowering tensions with Russia over Ukraine.
Duda expressed that "We have to find a solution to avoid war. As I've said, this is currently our main task. I believe that we will achieve it. In my opinion, what's most important today is unity and solidarity."
In discussions with his German and Polish colleagues in Berlin on Tuesday, the French President Emmanuel Macron urged for "firm" engagement with Russia regarding Ukraine.
Following two days of shuttle diplomacy in Moscow and Kyiv, Macron told reporters "We must find ways and means together to engage in a firm dialogue with Russia," adding that it was the only path to peace in Ukraine.
Expects de-escalation in Ukraine after 'success of Moscow meetings': Macron
According to the French President on Tuesday, progress has been made regarding security and stability in the region following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met Monday with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Moscow to discuss the Ukrainian crisis and the issue of security guarantees.
In addition, Macron met with the Ukrainian President on Tuesday. In a press conference in Kyiv, he expressed that meetings with both presidents "made it possible to make progress in building stability and security in the region," divulging that he expects a de-escalation in Ukraine after the Russian President assured him an escalation is not on the table.
The US and several Western allies have long been accusing Russia of preparing for a military invasion of Ukraine and amassing 100,000 troops on the borders with its western neighbor, but both Kyiv and Moscow have been denying the ordeal for months.
