Financial Times: Germany and France warn of a deadly danger threatening Europe

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron warned on Monday that Europe is at deadly risk of Russian aggression, in a joint article by the two leaders published in the Financial Times.

In the article, which coincided with Macron’s visit to Germany, the two leaders said, “We cannot take for granted the foundations on which we built our European way of life and our role in the world; The Europe we belong to is in mortal danger, and we have to rise to the challenge”.

Macron agreed with the expression “Zaytenvendi” or “tipping point” in the opinion piece, which the German chancellor had previously used to describe the historic shift in German policy, especially the increase in defense spending after the Russian invasion.

“If we look at the challenges, we have faced over the past five years, whether it’s the pandemic, Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, or increasing geopolitical shifts – it’s clear; Europe is experiencing Zaytenvendi, or a turning point between the end of an era and the beginning of a new era”.

The two leaders put forward their thoughts on the direction of the EU in the run-up to the bloc’s June 9 elections.

Among the elements outlined by Macron and Scholz is the need to deepen the EU’s single market and boost investment, while reducing the bloc’s dependence on trading partners for key supplies.

The joint mission statement of the two leaders comes after a period of tension in the relationship between the EU’s two largest powers.

Scholz and Macron disagreed in particular on the right approach to the war in Ukraine, with the French president taking a tougher tone against Russia.

The French and German leaders will meet on Tuesday in Meseberg, near Berlin, during a joint meeting of French and German ministers on the third day of Macron’s visit.