Macron meets Putin in Moscow amid Ukraine tensions
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This week, France’s President Emmanuel Macron has been touring national capitals, including Moscow, on a diplomatic basis in an attempt to find a solution to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. The discussions came after fears that Russia was looking to launch a full-scale invasion of its ex-Soviet neighbour, having positioned more than 100,000 soldiers on the border.
What did Mr Macron say?
France’s incumbent leader told reporters: “I secured an assurance there would be no deterioration or escalation.”
The 44-year-old made the comments before holding a meeting with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, on Tuesday.
During the previous day, Mr Macron and Mr Putin had been locked in discussions for almost six hours in the Russian capital of Moscow.
Following his talks with Mr Zelenksy, both leaders participated in a news conference where Mr Macron said there was now the chance to “make these negotiations move forward” between Russia and Ukraine.
He added that he could see “concrete solutions” to reducing tensions.
Meanwhile, Mr Zelensky adopted a more cautious approach, instead urging Russia to take significant measures to reduce tensions.
He said: “I do not really trust words, I believe that every politician can be transparent by taking concrete steps.”
How has Russia responded?
Russia has said that any suggestion of a guarantee by Mr Macron was “not right”.
Mr Putin hinted progress had been made after his discussions with his French counterpart, and that some of Mr Macron’s proposals “could form the basis of further joint steps”.
However, he added that they were “probably still too early to talk about”.
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Will Mr Putin stick to his word?
Despite assembling more than 100,000 troops and armed personnel near to the eastern border Russia shares with Ukraine, the Kremlin has denied it has any plans to attack.
US officials believe Russia has assembled 70 percent of the military forces required for a full-scale invasion.
Russia has taken territory from Ukraine before. Previously in 2014, Russia annexed the nation’s southern Crimean peninsula and backed separatists who captured large swathes of eastern Ukraine.
What’s the latest developments?
On Monday, US President Joe Biden and Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz met in Washington to discuss the situation in Ukraine.
Mr Biden threatened to shut down a key Russian gas pipeline – Nord Stream Two – to Germany if it launched an attack.
Russia previously demanded that the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) halt its movements in eastern Europe, after expressing security concerns against Nato expansion towards its border.
However, before the end of January, the US rejected the Kremlin’s proposals, leaving diplomatic talks at a stalemate.
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