Macron drew the right conclusions from the Munich Security Conference: Europe needs more investment in its own future and financial leeway. In the long term, a blockade of Eurobonds—joint European bonds—is a situation that Germany cannot maintain.
During Donald Trump's first term in office, Emmanuel Macron had already called for more independence and sovereignty for the EU. At that time, too, Germany did not support these initiatives. Dr. Hans-Dieter Heumann emphasized that significant advances in European integration usually occurred when Germany and France pulled together.
Two things are crucial for Germany's self-proclaimed leadership claim: a clear stance toward Russia and standing up for its own interests vis-à-vis the US. In the Ukraine war in particular, Europe must negotiate the basic principles of the new security architecture itself and no longer hide behind the US. To do this, Europe must achieve a position of strength.