On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Moscow to address the ongoing security crisis in Ukraine. After a meeting that lasted for almost five hours, Putin asserted that Russia is willing to seek compromises with the West, who has repeatedly called him out for amassing over 100,000 troops along the Ukrainian border in preparation for a full-scale invasion.
In a joint press conference after their meeting, Putin hailed close ties between Russia and France, noting how bilateral trade between the two countries had gone up by 70% and reached pre-pandemic levels. Putin pointed out that France has played an important diplomatic role in addressing European security matters historically, citing France’s contribution in developing the Minsk agreements and forming the Normandy format, both of which address the Russia-Ukraine conflict in the Donbas region.
Putin regarded discussions concerning Macron’s security proposal over Ukraine to be in the early stages, but emphasised that France’s proposal can serve as a basis for “further joint steps,” adding, “We will do everything to find compromises that suit everyone.” Putin confirmed that he will re-engage with Macron on this matter following the French President’s visit to Kyiv to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday.
Macron started his speech by stressing that dialogue is the only way to ensure “genuine” stability and security in Europe, noting how his meeting with Putin lays the foundation for an effective de-escalation of the military-political situation in Ukraine. Moreover, Macron welcomed Putin’s remarks saying that the Russian leader has expressed his “readiness to engage” and highlighted that “there is no security for the Europeans if there is no security for Russia.”
However, Putin made it clear that Russia is not the aggressor in the current Ukraine situation, saying “It is not us who are moving towards NATO’s [North Atlantic Treaty Organization] borders,” possibly referring to the military alliance’s recent deployment of troops in Poland and Romania. “Saying that Russia is acting aggressively is illogical,” Putin added.
Over the last few months, the two leaders have been in regular contact over the phone to discuss the various developments about the situation in Ukraine. Last month, Putin told Macron that Russia plans to “carefully study” America’s response to Putin’s security demands, despite Washington failing to account for Moscow’s “fundamental concerns.”
Last December, the two leaders held lengthy discussions over France and Russia’s joint security concerns in Europe and Africa. During the virtual meeting, Putin accused Kyiv of not respecting the Minsk agreements and complained about the US and NATO’s provocative military activities in the Black Sea. In the same month, the Kremlin confirmed that it was in talks with French and German leaders over a possible revival of the Normandy Format.
Reports suggest that Macron went to Moscow to avoid the Russia-NATO conflict ahead of the crucial French presidential elections to be held in April this year. Sources close to him suggest his meeting with Putin is a “throw of the dice.” Macron also spoke with US President Joe Biden ahead of his meeting with Putin, declaring their joint support for Ukraine.