Putin appreciates Macron’s proposals over Ukraine standoff

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin says he is ready for a compromise and will consider proposals put forward by French leader Emmanuel Macron in talks on Monday, while accusing the West of escalating tensions over Ukraine. Being imposed

Emerging from nearly five hours of talks in the Kremlin, the two leaders expressed hope that a solution could be found to the worst crisis since the end of the Cold War between Russia and the West.

Thanking Macron repeatedly for coming to Moscow, Putin told a joint news conference that the French leader had offered a number of ideas worth reading.

“Many of his ideas, suggestions … are possible as the basis for further action,” Putin said, adding that “we will do our best to make the right compromise for everyone.”

He did not provide details but said the two leaders would speak by phone on Tuesday after Macron’s meeting with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.

Macron said he had offered “solid security guarantees” and that Putin had “assured me of his readiness to engage”.

The French presidency said the proposals included a pledge by both sides not to take any new military action, the launch of a new strategic dialogue and efforts to restore the Ukrainian peace process.

Putin once again denied that Russia was acting aggressively, despite Western fears of a possible invasion of Ukraine after Russia had gathered tens of thousands of troops on its borders.

“It’s not us who are moving toward NATO’s borders,” he said, referring to allied deployments in Eastern Europe.