French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed hope that a deal may be possible to avoid a full scale war in Ukraine and that it was valid for Russia to raise its own security concerns.
According to a report in BBC, prior to talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday, Macron called for a “new balance” in order to protect Europe and satisfy Russia. He reiterated that Ukraine’s sovereignty was not up for debate.
Russia has deployed troops along the border with Ukraine, but denies intention to invade the country. Moscow has made a list of demands which include that the NATO defense alliance rule Ukraine’s membership out. Russia has also demanded that the alliance also reduce its military presence in the eastern regions of Europe.
Calling it unacceptable, the West has rejected Russia’s demands but has offered other areas to negotiate.
After his visit to Moscow, Macron is scheduled to visit the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, on Tuesday. The French president is expected to hold talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.
Previously, according to Al Jazeera, Macron spoke with US President Joe Biden on Sunday where he warned against expecting Russia to de-escalate tensions on its own. He added that negotiations with Russia could not come at the cost of weakening of any European state.
