. In a bid to reassure Germans, he laid out four guiding principles in the government’s support for Kyiv:Military support for Ukraine wouldn’t compromise Germany’s defensive capabilities, which will be strengthenedGermany will not support action that would make NATO a military participant in the conflict
Scholz will continue his effort to show leadership on Ukraine on Monday, when he hosts French President Emmanuel Macron for talks in Berlin over dinner. Both leaders are expected to discuss sanctions against Russia as well as closer energy and defense cooperation among EU member states in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The meeting is also a show of solidarity on the same day as Victory Day in Moscow. International allies are nervously awaiting Putin’s comments on what has become an annual showcase of Russia’s military strength.