Do looks say more than a thousand words?
On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron (44) met Russia’s ruler Vladimir Putin (69) in the Kremlin to discuss the current Ukraine conflict.
Your comments after the start of the consultation: reserved. Your looks: much more meaningful?
French President Emmanuel Macron (44) on Monday at a meeting with…Photo: AZ/AP
… Russia’s ruler Vladimir Putin (69)Photo: SPUTNIK/via REUTERS
︎ On Monday, Putin praised France’s “efforts to solve security problems in Europe” – this also applies to Ukraine. Russia and France share concerns about the security situation in Europe, Putin said.
︎ In the consultations with Putin, Macron called for a “sensible” reaction from Europe and Russia to end the tensions. It is about avoiding war and building trust and stability.
Putin and Macron have known each other for many years, they are on first-name terms, Macron is a welcome guest in the Kremlin – but no breakthrough was expected from the start of this meeting.
The face-to-face meeting between the two heads of state was preceded by three crisis telephone calls.
Macron also phoned US President Joe Biden (79) on Sunday. The two discussed “the ongoing diplomatic efforts and deterrent measures in response to Russia’s continued military build-up at Ukraine’s borders,” according to a White House statement.
Macron also wants to campaign in Moscow for a revival of the 2015 peace plan for eastern Ukraine negotiated with the help of Germany and France.
Macron will travel to Ukraine on Tuesday – an order that was well received in Moscow. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (63, SPD) will travel first to Kiev next week, then to Moscow.