Russian President Vladimir Putin received his French counterpart in Moscow on Monday for an interview devoted to the situation on the borders of Ukraine, which Emmanuel Macron told him on his arrival at the Kremlin that he hoped would allow him to “avoid war “. A press conference is scheduled for 6:45 p.m.
“I am determined and lucid. I do not believe that there are short-term victories” but “we can prevent things in the short term”, said the French President between Paris and Moscow. “I don’t believe in spontaneous miracles. There is a lot of tension, nervousness, that’s also why I decided to start the discussion a few weeks ago.”
For Emmanuel Macron, “history has taught us that in these moments, at this level of tension, the slightest error, the slightest thing not mastered, can then go very far.”
Meeting with Putin
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to go into all these subjects in depth and to begin to build a useful response, collectively for Russia and for all the rest of Europe”, declared Emmanuel Macronwhich has increased consultations with several European leaders and US President Joe Biden in recent days.
“A useful response is a response that obviously makes it possible to avoid war and to build elements of confidence, stability, visibility,” added the French head of state, while Vladimir Putin, seated across a long white table, just nodded.
Press conference at 6 p.m.
The two leaders then withdrew for their meeting behind closed doors, which should end with a press conference announced at around 6:45 p.m. Watch live below.
Emmanuel Macron will then travel to Kiev, where he is due to meet Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky on Tuesday.
