Ukraine: Macron exchanges with Johnson and Stoltenberg before Moscow and Kiev

Europe 1 with AFP 6:47 p.m., February 05, 2022

Emmanuel Macron spoke on Saturday about the Russian-Ukrainian crisis with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, before his trip to Moscow and Kiev, the Elysée announced.

"A path of de-escalation"

These separate telephone exchanges are part "in a context of constant consultation between allies on the subject of tensions between Ukraine and Russia", indicated the French presidency.

With Jens Stoltenberg, Emmanuel Macron insisted on "the need to continue the work to find through dialogue a path of de-escalation, in unity, full respect for the fundamental principles of European security, the sovereignty of States and the rights that ensue", according to the Elysée.

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Jens Stoltenberg welcomes the French approach  

He will try to obtain progress during his meetings with Russian Presidents Vladimir Putin on Monday in Moscow, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky the next day in Kiev.

According to the Elysée, Jens Stoltenberg "welcomed this approach" and "thanked the (French) president for the close coordination carried out with the allies before his trip", reported the presidency.

For his part, Boris Johnson told Emmanuel Macron the results of his visit to Kiev this week and his recent meeting with Vladimir Putin, she added.

Emmanuel Macron, who has increased exchanges with other leaders in recent days, and his two interlocutors, "have agreed to remain in close contact in the coming days".

Westerners have accused Moscow since the end of 2021 of having massed tens of thousands of soldiers on Ukraine's borders for a potential invasion, which Russia denies, claiming only to guarantee its security.