Deal to avoid war in Ukraine within reach - Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron has said he thinks a deal to avoid war in Ukraine is possible, but that it is legitimate for Russia to raise its own security concerns.
Ahead of a visit to Moscow, Mr Macron called for a "new balance" that would protect European states but also afford Russia respect.
He restated that the sovereignty of Ukraine was not up for discussion.
Russia has massed troops on Ukraines's border but denies planning to invade.
Moscow has made a string of demands, including that the Nato defence alliance rule out Ukraine becoming a member and that it reduce its military presence in eastern Europe.
Western countries have rejected this, instead suggesting other areas of negotiation, for example talks on cutting back nuclear weaponry.
Before leaving Paris, Mr Macron told the Journal du Dimanche newspaper that Russia's objective was "not Ukraine, but a clarification of the rules... with Nato and the EU".
He said his dialogue with President Putin would likely be enough to prevent military conflict breaking out and that he believed Mr Putin would be open to discussing wider issues.
Mr Macron cautioned against expecting Moscow to take "unilateral measures" to de-escalate the situation and said Russia had the right to raise its own concerns.
But he said setting up dialogue with Russia could not "pass through the weakening of any European state".
Deal to avoid war in Ukraine within reach - Macron (msn.com)
Meanwhile, in a Real World- far, far away from the anglo Bloviatesphere.....
https://c.tenor.com/6BwwiXkqO3QAAAAM...ffel-tower.gif
Ignore apocalyptic predictions: Ukraine
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has urged people to ignore "apocalyptic predictions" about an imminent Russian invasion, saying his country was strong and had unprecedented international support.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said a week ago Ukraine was not a sinking Titanic and accused the US government and media of fuelling panic that weighed on the economy when there were "no tanks in the streets".
"Today, Ukraine has a strong army, unprecedented international support and Ukrainians' faith in their country," Kuleba said in a tweet.
"The enemy should be afraid of us, not us of them."
A day earlier two US officials said that Russia may be ready for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine by mid-February as it had in place about 70 per cent of the combat power it believed it would need and was sending more battalion tactical groups to the border.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Sunday Russia could take military action "any day now" but could still opt for diplomacy.
"Different capitals have different scenarios but Ukraine is ready for any development," Kuleba said.
European Union Economic Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni said on Sunday the focus should be on diplomacy.
"We must help the NATO countries bordering Russia and strengthen them also from a military point of view," he said on Italian broadcaster RAI.
"We must also be prepared for economic reactions and sanctions if there is a deterioration."
Russia has massed more than 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian borders, sparkling fears of a planned assault.Â
Russia has said it is not planning an invasion but could take unspecified military action if its security demands are not met.
Those include a promise that NATO will never admit Ukraine, a demand the US and NATO have said is unacceptable.
Ignore apocalyptic predictions: Ukraine | Deniliquin Pastoral Times (denipt.com.au)
Can you take a Hint, amerka?:chitown:
