On Monday, February 7, a meeting of the Presidents of Russia and France, Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron, was held in Moscow-the negotiations lasted for more than 5 hours.
Apostrophe made a selection of the key points stated by the leaders during the meeting.
Main topics of negotiations
The meeting was devoted to the discussion of tensions on the Russian-Ukrainian border and maneuvers of Russian troops near the borders of a sovereign state of Ukraine. The head of the Kremlin said that he "does not understand on what grounds the movement of Russian troops on its own territory may mean a threat to the neighboring countries".
Putin about Ukraine and NATO
The President of the Russian Federation accused Ukraine of allegedly "ignoring" the possibility of restoring its territorial integrity and not entering a "dialogue" with militants in ORDLO.
In addition, the Kremlin head noted that NATO designated Russia as an enemy in its military strategy. He accused the Alliance of neglecting Moscow's demands about the so-called "security guarantees" and said that only the United States and individual NATO members need NATO's "open-door policy".
Putin said that Russia categorically opposes NATO's expansion to the east by the integration of Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia - according to him, this allegedly "poses a threat" to Russia. He once again said that at one time the United States and NATO allegedly promised Russia not to approach its borders.
Putin about Poroshenko and the Russian language in Ukraine
The head of the Kremlin said that he was ready to provide former President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko with political asylum in Russia if he "has difficulties".
He also said that in Ukraine, allegedly, "discrimination against the Russian-speaking population" is enshrined at the legislative level.
Putin about Crimea and Donbas
Putin said that Western countries continue to consider Crimea a part of Ukraine, while Russia continues to consider the peninsula its sovereign territory. According to him, if Ukraine joins NATO, there will be a military confrontation between Russia and the Alliance, and France will allegedly fight Russia for Crimea.
Speaking about the situation in ORDLO, the President of Russia said that Ukraine needs to implement the "Minsk Agreements" as they were signed in 2014-2015.
"There is no alternative to the Minsk Agreements. Kyiv says it will destroy their country. Like it, don't like it - put up with it, my beauty. We need to do it," Putin said.
In turn, Macron said Russia itself violated the international law: "You yourself violated the territorial integrity of Ukraine, you assumed certain obligations”.
“Not really. Or even not at all,” Putin answered, adding, “Did we carry out any operations in Crimea or somewhere else? In a normal country and with normal authority? No. We've never done it. We didn't even have that in mind. But why did Western countries support the coup d'état? From that moment and still on, there is the authority in Ukraine and the source of this authority is a coup d'état, not the will of the people. Yes, of course, there were next elections, re-elections... But initially the power was seized by force. Therefore, under these conditions, we were forced to protect the people who live in Crimea. Well, how else? Why did they put us in this position?"
Putin about the war with Europe
The Russian president also threatened with nuclear weapons, "If Ukraine joins NATO and regains Crimea militarily, European countries will automatically be involved in a military conflict with Russia. Of course, we understand that the potential of NATO and Russia is incomparable. But we also understand that Russia is one of the leading nuclear powers. And in some components, even many are ahead of them. There will be no winners. And you will be involved in this conflict against your own will. You won't even have the time to blink an eye."
Macron about relations between Russia and France
In turn, French President Emmanuel Macron said that there are different views on the same situation between Russia and France. According to him, the opportunity to find a peaceful path for Europe and avoid a big war between Russia and Ukraine has not yet been lost.
Macron about the Minsk agreements
In his opinion, without a dialogue with Russia it is impossible to build peace in Europe.
Macron believes that the solution to the Ukrainian issue can only be political. And the basis of this decision is the Minsk Agreements. He announced rapid progress on the political part of the Minsk agreements:
"There are very sensitive issues on constitutional reform, special status and elections that are now under consideration and will soon be developed."
Macron about NATO
The French head of state said that "NATO's open-door policy is an existential issue". He specified that in this context he would talk to Vladimir Zelensky in Kyiv, and only then to NATO representatives.
Macron on the "new mechanisms" of stability in Europe
According to the President of France," new mechanisms are needed to ensure stability in Europe, but not by revising existing agreements - perhaps new security solutions in Europe will be innovative."
Earlier we reported that French President Emmanuel Macron had a conversation with United States President Joe Biden. The negotiations took place before the French leader's trip to Russia and Ukraine.