French President Emmanuel Macron (R) speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) (Getty Images)
(Picture: Getty Images)Emmanuel Macron was travelling to Moscow to meet Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Monday, insisting a “historic solution” to the Ukraine crisis was still possible.
The French President said he wanted his talks with Mr Putin to lead to “a de-escalation” of the tension that has grown since Russian troops started massing on the Ukrainian border and a “new balance” in relations between Russia and the West.
He admitted that it was necessary to be “very realistic” about the dangers ahead amid warnings from the US that an invasion could take place at any time. But Mr Macron said that despite the peril he remained optimistic that a deal to prevent conflict could be achieved.
“We must protect our European brothers by proposing a new balance capable of preserving their sovereignty and peace,” he said in a message intended to reassure the leaders of Ukraine and other eastern former Soviet states that fear Moscow’s aggression.
“This must be done while respecting Russia and understanding the contemporary traumas of this great people and great nation.” Mr Macron said that his exchanges with Mr Putin ahead of today’s meeting and their discussions in Moscow could cement an agreement to prevent war.
He added that their responsibility was to “build a historic solution” to the challenge of European security.
He said he also believed that Russia’s intention was “not Ukraine, but a clarification of the rules... with Nato and the EU”.
Mr Putin has demanded a halt to the expansion of Nato eastwards. The White House’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, told Fox News that the build up of Russian troops meant that “we are in the window” for war to break out.
