The President of France Emmanuel Macron and his Russian
counterpart Vladimir Putin discussed the Ukraine border situation and concerns
over security in Europe.
During a telephonic call on Monday, both the leaders
welcomed the “positive progress” made in talks within the Normandy Format. The
Normandy Format is a four-way conversation between representatives from
Ukraine, Russia, Germany, and France that has been trying to establish peace in
eastern Ukraine since 2014.
Amid growing concerns over a potential Russian invasion of
Ukraine, the French presidency said that the telephonic conversation was part
of Macron's efforts to de-escalate tensions. Reportedly, Macron has a
long-standing invitation from Putin to visit Russia in the coming days.
However, the date has not been set yet. This is Macron’s second call with Putin
since Friday. Macron has been affirming diplomatic ways of solving the highly
sensitive border crisis that will have its impact across Europe.
Earlier, Putin expressed concerns over the United States and
North Atlantic Treaty Organization's responses to Moscow's security proposals.
He made it clear that the responses by the US and NATO did not address Russia's
main security concerns over Ukraine.
Last week, the Joe Biden administration handed a written
response to Russia outlining Washington’s position on the crisis in Ukraine.
Putin told Macron that Moscow would thoroughly examine the written responses
before taking any action.
According to Republic World, Macron also briefed Vladimir
Putin on Paris's approaches to the pan-European track ahead of France's
presidency of the EU (European Union) Council in 2022.
Russia-Ukraine
relations
Reportedly, Ukraine is suffering ever since Russia invaded
Crimea in 2014. Russia conquered Crimea in February and March 2014. Putin’s
ambition was to hold Ukraine tight to Russia economically and politically.
Putin deployed 30,000 troops without insignia to seize control of the regional
infrastructure. Ukraine was earlier part of the Soviet Union. The country
collapsed at the end of the Cold War in 1991.
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