The three politicians met for a dinner together. They talked about military support to Ukraine for a counter-offensive and humanitarian aid. It was also about security guarantees for Ukraine to protect its territory. At the NATO summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on July 11 and 12, Ukraine is hoping for promises of NATO membership.
Even before the joint deliberations, Duda appealed: “Ukraine is waiting for a clear signal regarding a clear prospect of membership in NATO.” This is the expectation of the Ukrainian leadership and the soldiers who are defending the country attacked by Russia. He hopes that the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius will bring the “light at the end of the tunnel” that Ukraine is longing for.
Scholz (SPD) said that the main efforts are currently aimed at supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russia. “We will continue to do this for as long as it is necessary, we are prepared for that.” Nevertheless, the intensive debate on security guarantees makes sense, said the Chancellor. “We will continue to do this very intensively, and it will be finished when there is a joint result of the talks. But one thing is clear: we need something like this, and we need it in a very concrete form.”
Macron was also more reserved than Duda. They want to talk about “NATO support for Ukraine, to give it all the perspectives it is entitled to.” He hopes that the upcoming NATO summit will make it possible to show a way and a clear vision for the country to develop the future of collective security.
“Today in Paris, the three of us want to send a very important signal,” said Scholz. The position is clear: Germany, France and Poland stand together and support Ukraine with arms as long as it is necessary. This unity is a strength that Russia did not count on. “We will create an even more united and stronger Europe.”
Macron: war for Russia geopolitical failure
Macron also said Ukraine’s counter-offensive began a few days ago and is expected to last several months. France has recently increased the supply of arms and ammunition and is still delivering. “There is this counter-offensive. We wish that it will be as successful as possible, in order to then trigger a negotiation phase under good conditions,” he said. The Russian war of aggression is already a strategic and geopolitical failure for Russia.
There was agreement, said Duda: Russia should not emerge victorious from the war. It is crucial for the EU that Russian imperialism is suppressed and that Russia can no longer expand its sphere of influence.
There was also disagreement on the issue of immigration in the EU. “For many years, Europe has been paralyzed when it comes to migration policy,” Macron said. “We must not remain blocked. It is important to move forward together. We must organize them in a spirit of solidarity.”
Duda, on the other hand, emphasized that millions of Ukrainian refugees have come to Poland since the outbreak of the Russian war of aggression. After the intensification of the struggle, Poland is registering increasing numbers of people arriving. “We didn’t get any special help from the EU. We are skeptical about taking in refugees from other regions,” said Duda. Poland will resist EU penalties.
Scholz countered that Germany had also taken in a million Ukrainian refugees and had always advocated a policy of solidarity. You have to shoulder the problems better together.
Everyone wants to hold on to talks between the three nations. The “Weimar Triangle” discussion format between Germany, France and Poland dates back to 1991 and was launched in Weimar. At that time, Poland and other Eastern European countries were more closely integrated into the EU and NATO as a result of the talks.
In the meantime, the three-way meeting had almost fallen asleep. Due to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the consultations were resumed. A meeting already took place in February 2022 and another on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in February 2023. The meeting in Paris was the continuation of the meeting in Munich.
With agency material.
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