Jacques Serais (on site), edited by Gauthier Delomez 2:02 p.m., February 08, 2022

President Emmanuel Macron continues to mediate in the Ukrainian crisis file.

Satisfied with having avoided any prospect of "degradation and escalation", the tenant of the Elysee Palace now wants to convince the Ukrainian president to make concessions, in particular on respect for the Minsk agreements.

DECRYPTION

Emmanuel Macron continues his journey across the Russian border.

The French president exchanges Tuesday with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, in the presidential residence of the Marinsky palate of Kiev, in Ukraine, to speak about the Ukrainian crisis.

The Head of State comes to share the conclusions of his meeting on Monday evening with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In fact, the Ukrainian and Russian leaders have broken off direct dialogue.

In this context, Emmanuel Macron is there as an intermediary, he plays the mediator.

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Macron congratulates himself on having avoided any "escalation"

The first stage of the French president's diplomatic tour ended in semi-failure.

Moscow has not conceded any military withdrawal, even a symbolic one, to the Ukrainian border.

Off the microphone, Emmanuel Macron explains that he expected Vladimir Putin to remain inflexible, but for all that, he is content with it.

The Head of State believes that the objective of the meeting with the master of the Kremlin has been achieved.

"It was for me to block the game. I obtained that there is no degradation or escalation", welcomes the tenant of the Elysée.

Emmanuel Macron's diplomatic tour continues.

The presidential plane has just landed in Kiev.

The French PR has an appointment with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky at 11:30 a.m. (Paris time).

— Jacques Serais (@JacquesSerais) February 8, 2022

Push the Ukrainian president to make concessions

Admittedly, there is no escalation, but no strong signal has been sent either.

In short, for Vladimir Putin, it is up to Ukraine and NATO to take the first step.

And that is why the French president finds himself facing the Ukrainian president on Tuesday.

It is for Emmanuel Macron to push his interlocutor to make concessions.

The Head of State will therefore ask Ukraine to respect the Minsk agreements, which include in particular the resumption of dialogue with the pro-Russian separatists of Donbass.

One of the rare requirements of Moscow on which Paris agrees.