Germany's Scholz hosts Macron in Berlin

In his first trip abroad since winning reelection, French President Emmanuel Macron is holding talks in Berlin on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The meeting comes as Moscow marks Nazi Germany's defeat during World War II.

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Berlin on Monday for talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about the war in Ukraine.

It is the French leader's first trip abroad since being reelected for a second term last month.

He was received with military honours at the chancellery ahead of a scheduled closed-door meeting and working dinner.

At a press conference before the talks, Scholz praised the Franco-German friendship and told reporters "we stand side by side with Ukraine as part of the European family."

The chancellor said Russia's invasion of its neighbour was "a turning point in history," that required European countries to work together. 

"We support Ukraine morally, financially, and militarily — with weapons," Scholz said. "It cannot be the case that borders in Europe can be moved around with violence. And we will do everything we can to ensure the war does not spread to other countries and to enhance our defence capabilities."

Macron said he wanted to "emphasise the importance of the Franco-German friendship" by going to Berlin on the first international trip since his inauguration. In what is a tradition for Berlin and Paris, Scholz also made France his first foreign destination after becoming chancellor last year.