Emmanuel Macron, said on Monday that he hoped to begin a “de-escalation” in the Russian-Western crisis around Ukraine, at the start of his meeting in the Kremlin with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. “The discussion can initiate what we need to go towards, which is a de-escalation,” said Emmanuel Macron, adding that he wanted to “start building a collectively useful response, for Russia and for all the rest of Europe”.
French President Emmanuel Macron said he proposed to Vladimir Putin on Monday to “build concrete security guarantees” for all the states involved in the Ukraine crisis, after a five-hour face-to-face meeting in Moscow. with Vladimir Putin.
“President Putin assured me of his readiness to commit to this logic and of his desire to maintain the stability and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” added the French president during a press conference. common, evoking “terms of convergence” between Russia and France, without detailing them.
“This dialogue is necessary because it is the only thing which, in my opinion, will ensure real stability and security on the European continent. So, in the current context, we have had several telephone conversations in recent weeks, you reminded me of that. And, despite the crisis, I was also able to discuss Ukraine with President Zelensky, as well as coordinate with many Europeans and allies, including the British, Americans and Canadians.”
“I think today’s conversation can open the way for us, that is, de-escalation. And we know the situation, the military-political situation, we know the Ukrainian question – you have us reminded how important it is – the Normandy format, security issues in Belarus and across the region, and important issues of collective security, which we will discuss on.”
“Therefore, I am happy that there is an opportunity to discuss all the topics in depth, and we can collectively begin to develop a practical response for Russia and for all of Europe. A useful and practical response is that which avoids war, of course, and builds stability, transparency and trust for all.”
For his part, Vladimir Putin estimated on Monday that some of the ideas of his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron to defuse the Russian-Western crisis over Ukraine can make it possible to move forward, after more than five hours of talks in Moscow. . “Some of his ideas, his proposals (…) are possible to lay the foundations for common progress”, said Mr. Putin, during a joint press conference, while judging it premature to expose them publicly. .
Vladimir Putin has also denounced Western military aid to Ukraine, which he accuses of being solely responsible for the impasse in which the peace talks find themselves. “Kiev still rejects all opportunities for a peaceful restoration of its territorial integrity,” he said.
The Russian president also dismissed accusations that Russia was behaving belligerently by organizing military maneuvers on its territory on the border with Ukraine. “To say that Russia is behaving aggressively is illogical,” he said before explaining: “We are not the ones heading towards NATO borders.”
Invited on RTL, Alexandre Orlov, the former Russian ambassador to France, says he is “convinced” that a war will not break out on the Ukrainian border.
“We receive Emmanuel Macron as President of the European Union but above all as President of the French Republic, which is a country guarantor of the Minsk agreements”, continues the diplomat. “Europe is today the only one that can play this role of mediator and Emmanuel Macron, who is an undeniable leader of Europe, has played this role”.
Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Moscow comes amid rising tensions between Westerners and Russia, accused of having massed tens of thousands of troops on the Ukrainian border in preparation for an invasion.
The French president is the first high-profile Western leader to meet the Russian president since tensions escalated in December. This Tuesday, he will travel to Ukraine for talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
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