French, German meeting postponed as cracks emerge over energy, defence

FILE PHOTO: The flags of Germany, France and the European Union are seen in front of the the Chancellery, before the meeting between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron in Berlin, Germany May 15, 2017. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke

BERLIN/PARIS (Reuters) -The French and German governments have postponed a meeting planned for next week until January, officials said on Wednesday, after what sources told Reuters were divisions including over energy policy and defence.

European countries have emphasised the need to stay united after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February but their unity has been tested by an energy crisis that has pummelled major Western economies.