French President Emmanuel Macron ahead of his Monday meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin called for a “new balance” and said a ceasefire agreement was possible, according to media reports. agencies.
Macron, however, made it clear that the Ukrainian sovereignty had not been discussed. Speaking to the French newspaper Journal du Dimanche, he said Russia wanted clarification on the law and not Ukraine.
“We must protect our European brothers by promoting a new balance that can preserve their sovereignty and peace. This must be done while respecting Russia and recognizing the immediate suffering of these great people and the great nation, “Macron was quoted as saying by the BBC and the Journal du Dimanche.
He also warned his allies – NATO and the US – not to expect any unilateral steps to destabilize Moscow.
“It is important to avoid deterioration before building methods and coherent communication of trust. We have to face reality and we will not get a mixed reaction, ”said Macron.
Macron-Biden speak
The French president spoke to US President Joe Biden on Sunday when they both discussed the Ukraine issue ahead of Macron and Putin’s meeting. “They discussed the ongoing technological efforts and to prevent the response of the Russian military forward to the Ukrainian border, and reaffirmed their support for the Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the White House said in a statement.
According to an AFP report, the call was part of a consolidation effort ahead of the Macron-Putin meeting. Macron is also scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky later on Tuesday.
Macron also spoke with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and NATO official Jens Stoltenberg over the weekend.
Meanwhile, US development intelligence officials told Reuters news agency that Russia had mobilized 70% of the military force needed to fully invade Ukraine. They said the weather would open a high window for Russia to move forward with equipment between February 15 and March. The US says a total attack will result in at least 50,000 deaths.
According to Rochan Consulting, Russia has not only recruited troops along the western border of Ukraine and Crimea in its southwest but has recently recruited troops from Belarus and Moldova.
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