Emmanuel Macron spoke this Saturday about the Russian-Ukrainian crisis with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, before his trip to Moscow and Kiev, the Elysée announced. These separate telephone exchanges are part “in a context of constant consultation between allies on the subject of tensions between Ukraine and Russia”, indicated the French presidency.
With Jens Stoltenberg, Emmanuel Macron insisted on “the need to continue working to find through dialogue a path of de-escalation, in unity, full respect for the fundamental principles of European security, the sovereignty of States and the rights that ensue from it”, according to the Elysée. He will try to obtain progress during his meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday in Moscow, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky the next day in Kiev.
Multiplication of exchanges
According to the Elysée, Jens Stoltenberg “welcomed this approach” and “thanked the (French) president for the close coordination carried out with the allies ahead of his trip”, reported the presidency. For his part, Boris Johnson told Emmanuel Macron the results of his visit to Kiev this week and his recent meeting with Vladimir Putin, she added. Emmanuel Macron, who has increased exchanges with other leaders in recent days, and his two interlocutors, “have agreed to remain in close contact in the coming days”.
The Elysée also indicated that the discussion with Boris Johnson had “also focused on migratory issues and in particular crossing the Channel”. “They stressed the need for France and the United Kingdom to work together to fight against smuggling networks”, while illegal Channel crossings are a regular subject of tension between Paris and London.
A record of more than 51,000 migrants attempted the dangerous crossing in 2021, of which more than 28,000 succeeded, according to the British government.