Germany and Britain want to put Brexit-era tensions behind them and use their unity in support of Ukraine to demonstrate a new general harmony in their relations.

After his first visit to Prime Minister Boris Johnson in London, Chancellor Olaf Scholz also announced that regular cabinet meetings would strengthen cooperation between the two governments.

Johannes Leithauser

Political correspondent in Berlin.

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Johnson and Scholz promised Ukraine further support by increasing sanctions and arms deliveries.

Neither of them wanted to promise that support with military equipment could also include the sale of tanks.

Johnson said Britain has opted for a new £100million shipment, which includes anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles, but also helmets and protective gear.

Scholz said the delivered device had to be manageable and be able to be used quickly by Ukraine.

German armored personnel carriers require too much training

In German government circles, it is increasingly pointed out that the delivery of used German armored personnel carriers will not meet these criteria, since many months of training and instruction are required before the tanks can be used.

Johnson said Britain is in principle ready to supply anything that can be summed up as defensive arms.

Instead of supplying weapon systems from NATO countries, which may only be usable after a long period of training, it could make more sense to support Eastern European NATO members in handing over their own equipment from the Warsaw Pact era and replacing it with new NATO systems substitute.

The two heads of government also demonstrated unity on the question of an energy embargo for oil and gas, on which Germany had been called on by London weeks and days ago to take even tougher action.

Johnson said Germany had already taken “massive steps” here and set itself the goal of ending gas imports from Russia by 2024 at the latest.

Scholz, who partly answered journalists' questions in English, said, "we are doing what we can."

During their meeting, both also brought up the final sticking point in the UK's exit process from the EU, the handling of customs controls between Northern Ireland and the British Isles.

Johnson said they discussed it but didn't want the issue to encumber "the seamless harmony" and "the very, very great understanding" on all other issues.

The so-called Northern Ireland Protocol provides for control mechanisms between Northern Ireland and the British mainland in order to avoid a hard customs border on the Irish island.

Great Britain does not apply parts of the agreement and is negotiating changes with Brussels.

On the German side it was said that it was right to discuss the case, but from the German point of view it was clear that London had to settle these disputes with the EU, and Germany could not be a negotiating partner in this matter.

Scholz addressed the British exit from the EU only in a relative clause;

he said the UK has been "a partner, ally and friend for a long time and will remain so, even though our friends have decided to leave the EU circle".

Scholz offers joint cabinet meetings

From a German point of view, Scholz's inaugural visit should also mark the beginning of a new close relationship with Great Britain after the disagreements surrounding Brexit.

The new federal government was willing to include Great Britain in the group of countries with which Berlin regularly holds joint cabinet meetings – these extensive consultations, in which many departmental ministers agree on joint projects with their respective colleagues, are held with France and Israel, for example, but also with the Indian government.

According to the Chancellor, a first joint cabinet meeting is to take place at the beginning of next year.

Johnson also welcomed Scholz on Friday as a representative of the G7 countries, of which Germany is chairing this year.

The UK government is increasingly emphasizing the importance of this round of key western industrialized countries to underscore their role in a major international format now that the EU is no longer eligible.

Germany wanted to focus G7 activities this year on climate protection and counted on strong British support for this intention.