Figaro: Unlike the US, France sees no signs of escalation from Russia in Ukraine
Vladimir Putin. Photo: Reuters
France and the United States interpret the presence of Russian troops near the borders of Ukraine differently, the Figaro newspaper writes, citing a diplomatic source in the Elysee Palace.
The informant noted that the White House has been talking about the imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine for almost two months. However, the Elysee Palace assessed the likelihood of an escalation and decided to be more cautious in this area, unlike the United States.
“In what Vladimir Putin says, we do not see signs that he will go on the offensive,” the source stressed.
Figaro's interlocutor added that French President Emmanuel Macron, at talks in Moscow on February 7, met with “tougher” Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, if we compare the meeting of leaders in Fort Bregançon in 2019. It also became known that during the many hours of conversation, Putin repeatedly mentioned “the period when Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic were not yet part of NATO, in 1997.”
On February 12, Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with French leader Emmanuel Macron. During the dialogue, the presidents focused on the growing tension “in the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.”
