Germany and France disagree on arms aid to Ukraine

Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, German policy has been guided by one guiding principle: avoid direct confrontation with Russia at all costs, according to Politico. But after a summit of European leaders in Paris earlier this week, French President Emmanuel Macron criticized Germany’s caution.

“We will do whatever is necessary to ensure that Russia cannot win this war. Everything is possible, including sending Western troops to Ukraine,” Mr Macron told reporters.

Those comments were in stark contrast to the views of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who just before leaving for the Paris conference made the opposite argument, warning of the dangers of a Russian response if it sent German-made long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine.

Germany is not alone in being cautious. From the outset of the conflict, the administration of US President Joe Biden sought to follow a similar path, providing Ukraine with the weapons it needed to defend itself without providing so much that it would draw the US into a war with Russia.

On February 27, leaders of several NATO countries also did not support Mr. Macron’s comments, affirming that they had no plans to send troops to Ukraine. Previously, Chancellor Scholz had delayed the decision to send German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine, partly because of the country’s strong peace leanings.

But the French side is not so cautious, which may be why President Macron feels more comfortable talking about the possibility of Western forces on the ground — even if such a move seems far-fetched.

Mr Scholz also ruled out any intention of Western countries sending troops to Ukraine, writing on Twitter: “There will be no ground forces from European countries or NATO.”

The dispute between Chancellor Scholz and President Macron over military aid to Ukraine is becoming a public one, with German officials complaining that, while President Macron is willing to take a tough stance on Ukraine, he is not doing enough to match what Germany is doing.

Germany's Kiel Institute, which compiles aid to Ukraine, ranks France as a clear laggard in military aid to Ukraine, providing just 640 million euros compared to the 17.7 billion euros Germany has pledged.

French officials counter that they supply genuinely important weapons and do so with less hesitation than Germany, citing Chancellor Scholz's refusal to send long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine as a case in point.

France pledged to send SCALP cruise missiles last July, following Britain's move to send Storm Shadows in May.

Ukrainian leaders have demanded the missiles, especially as their forces face growing ammunition shortages and Republicans in the US Congress block a $60 billion military aid package for Kiev. Earlier this month, Ukrainian troops were forced to retreat from the town of Avdiivka partly due to a lack of artillery shells, handing Russian forces their biggest battlefield success in months.

Ukraine wants missiles like the Taurus to strike Russian targets and supply lines deep behind the front lines. But German officials say operating the Taurus would require the direct involvement of German military personnel on the ground to program the missiles.

After the conference in Paris on February 26, Mr. Macron continued to criticize Chancellor Scholz for Germany's hesitation when it came to sending weapons to Ukraine: "Many people said never send tanks, never send planes two years ago, now they also say they will not send long-range missiles," referring to Germany's initial delay in sending Leopard tanks to Ukraine, but then still delivered them.

But as for the Taurus missiles, Chancellor Scholz remains adamant that the aid would be complicated. One possible opportunity would be if the US sent more ATACMS missiles to Kiev, as Berlin tends to be one step behind Washington when it comes to arming Ukraine.