French President Emmanuel Macron met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin to discuss the approach of Europe's largest economies to the crisis on Ukraine's borders. 

Macron told reporters before the meeting the two nations were "united" and would be "preparing a common response" to any aggression on the border, while Scholz defended Germany's record stating: "We have done a great deal to actively support economic development and democratic development in Ukraine."

Germany is widely seen as under more pressure than its European allies when it comes to Russia, because a higher percentage of Germany's energy supply is provided by Russia. The newly completed (but not yet operational) Nord Stream 2 pipeline is an additional challenge for Scholz's new coalition government.

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And that's led to doubts about a united front from the EU against Russia, if President Putin takes the decision to invade Ukraine. Scholz said Ukrainians should feel supported by Germany, as the country acknowledges its responsibility for so-called "gas transit countries."

​​"We feel responsible, for example, for ensuring that Ukraine remains a [gas] transit country. Ukraine knows it can rely on Germany," he told a joint press conference. 

On Monday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a new $1.2bn funding tranche for Ukraine, directly positioned to assist "financing needs due to the conflict." 

Along with help for Ukraine, the EU and its Western allies including the UK and U.S. have announced plans for severe economic and financial sanctions on Russia and high-profile Russians. It's expected these sanctions will take aim directly at Putin, a tactic that has so far not been used against the leader of the Russian Federation. 

Meanwhile, Germany's Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht said the ministry would send 5,000 helmets to Kyiv in response to a call for arms from the Ukrainian government. Germany has been criticized for refusing to send weapons – as other allies have done – but Lambrecht said it was appropriate aid. 

"This is exactly how we will continue to work in this conflict. We are working towards reaching a peaceful solution to this conflict in the middle of Europe," she said. 

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said UK diplomats were hoping to persuade their counterparts in Berlin to go further. 

Common view on diplomatic efforts

Both Macron and Scholz stressed the importance of the "Normandy format talks," which include Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany. They take their name from an unofficial meeting between the four nations during the Donbas crisis in eastern Ukraine in 2014. 

Scholz called it a "special contribution that we can make." Officials from the four nations met in Paris on Wednesday, where Kremlin officials said any personal sanctions against Putin would not be "painful" but would be "politically destructive" to the diplomatic process. 

Both Macron and Scholz have vowed to keep channels of dialogue open with Russia, no matter the format.