Pistorius retorted that Macron’s language was counterproductive.
“We don’t need really, from my perspective at least, talk about boots on the ground or having more courage or less courage,” Pistorius told reporters during a press conference with his Swedish counterpart Pål Jonson.
“This is something which does not really help solve the issues we have when it comes to helping Ukraine,” he added.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of his visit to Prague, Macron said later that Germany had not been the target of his comments, but that it was “necessary” to shake up France’s allies.
“If we are passive … we run the risk of suffering, suffering setbacks on the field, suffering possible disappointments in the U.S.,” he said.
Franco-German tensions over the war in Ukraine are rising. France has long felt frustrated that Germany regards relations with Washington as the keystone of European security, while Germany bristles at Macron’s late conversion to self-styled war leader, especially when Berlin has given far more weapons to Ukraine than Paris has.