Russia, Ukraine committed to Minsk accords: Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday (February 8) he believes steps can be taken to de-escalate the Ukraine crisis, and called on all sides to stay calm.
In a high-profile bid to act as a mediator, Macron shuttled from Moscow's talks with President Vladimir Putin on Monday (February 7), to Kyiv to hold talks with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
He had no breakthroughs to announce.
His office rowed back on Tuesday after an official said overnight that Putin had promised Macron Russia would not stage military maneuvers near Ukraine for the time being.
But the French president said he thought his talks had helped prevent the crisis from escalating further.
He said both Putin and Zelenskiy were committed to the Minsk accords - a 2014 peace deal signed in response to Russia's annexation of Crimea.
"The Minsk accords are also the best protection of the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Based on the commitment of the two sides, Russian and Ukrainian, we now have the possibility of advancing negotiations."
Zelenskiy made clear, however, he was skeptical of any assurances Macron may have received from Putin.
"Generally, I don't quite trust words. That's why I think that every politician can show his or her openness by concrete deeds. In our case, those are steps towards de-escalation. In order to do this - as I understand, this person is open - this person has every possibility."
Western countries led by the United States fear Russia is preparing to invade Ukraine.
Moscow has denied plans for an attack, but said it could take ‘unspecified military measures’ unless specific security demands are met - including a promise from NATO never to admit Ukraine.
While Western countries have stood together to back Ukraine, they disagree about the likelihood of war.
French officials have suggested they think Washington has overstated the threat.
And Kyiv itself has also played down the likelihood of a large-scale invasion.
Whatever Moscow's true aims, Western countries say they cannot safely assume the crisis will end without war unless Russia pulls back its troops.
