Breakthrough in the Ukraine conflict: Macron announces far-reaching Putin assurances

Created: 2022-02-08 12:03 p.m

By: Florian Naumann, Bettina Menzel

Vladimir Putin (right), President of Russia, and Emmanuel Macron, President of France, take part in a joint press conference.

© Thibault Camus/dpa

Is there a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis?

Emmanuel Macron says yes - and after Putin now meets Selenskyj.

What is happening in Germany?

The news ticker.

• The Ukraine crisis* is still waiting for a solution - according to Western information, around 100,000 Russian soldiers are near the Ukrainian border.

• French President Macron meets his colleague in Ukraine on Tuesday

  (see update from February 8, 6:33 a.m.).

  He had an important Putin statement in his luggage

  (see update from February 8, 11:55 a.m.).

• An FDP politician points out that Russian media close to the state wanted to stir up fears

  (see update from February 8, 7.45 a.m.).

• This news ticker on the Ukraine crisis is continuously updated.

Update from February 8, 11:55 a.m .:

According to French President Emmanuel Macron, Russia’s head of state Vladimir Putin has promised to refrain from further escalation in the Ukraine conflict.

He had received assurances from Putin that "there would be no deterioration or escalation," Macron said on Tuesday shortly before his arrival in Kiev, where he was due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Macron discussed the Ukraine crisis at a meeting lasting several hours with Putin in Moscow on Monday.

Ukraine conflict: influence by Russia?

Update from February 8, 7.45 a.m .:

According to the Federal Government, Russia has intensified its attempts to influence the media in Germany against the background of the Ukraine crisis.

The Russian state media

and

spread, among other things, the narrative that Ukraine is being used as an instrument for the geopolitical interests of the West, which is responsible for the tense situation, according to the Federal Ministry of the Interior's response to a written question from FDP MP Konstantin Kuhle .

"In addition, Germany is accused of one-sided partisanship with Ukraine and describes this as an obstacle to resolving the conflict," the response, which is available to the German Press Agency, continues.

"At the same time, Russia's alleged interest in a comprehensive de-escalation is highlighted."

The FDP domestic politician Kuhle told the dpa that "it would be naïve not to see the effects of the Russian aggression on the Ukrainian border on the domestic political situation in Germany".

The military situation is being actively accompanied by Russian activities via state-related media such as

and social media.

“This is intended to stir up fears and discord in Western societies.

It is therefore important that the federal government keeps an eye on the hybrid activities of the Russian state.”

Ukraine conflict: Macron travels from Moscow to Kiev

Update from February 8, 6:33 a.m .:

As part of the West’s efforts to defuse the Ukraine conflict, French President Emmanuel Macron traveled from Moscow to Kiev on Tuesday.

A meeting with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is planned there.

After consultations with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday

, Macron saw opportunities for a diplomatic solution to the current tensions in Europe.

In the Ukraine crisis, the peace plan for the Donbass must be implemented "strictly and completely", said Macron after a good five-hour talks with the Russian President.

This also requires steps from Ukraine.

The conflict must be resolved so that the European Union and Russia can improve their relations.

"Our duty is to keep working together."

Ukraine conflict: Borrell warns of escalation

Update from February 7, 9:08 p.m .:

From the point of view of EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, the Ukraine crisis is the most dangerous moment since the Cold War.

Borrell warned of an escalation of the crisis in Ukraine: "In my opinion, we are experiencing the most dangerous moment for security in Europe since the end of the Cold War," Borrell said after talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington on Monday.

"Moving 140,000 troops to the border is not for drinking tea," Borrell said, referring to Russian soldiers near Ukraine.

Efforts must therefore be stepped up to avoid a major threat to peace and security.

According to two US officials, Russian President Vladimir Putin currently has 70 percent of the military personnel and weapons he would need to invade the country stationed on the border with Ukraine.

This was reported by the US news portal

on Monday, citing internal sources that were familiar with the latest estimates.

French President calls for 'useful answer' to how to prevent 'war'

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and French President Emmanuel Macron during their meeting Monday (February 7) at the Kremlin in Moscow.

© Uncredited/Pool Sputnik Kremlin/AP/dpa

Update from February 7th, 7:00 p.m .:

During his visit to Moscow, French President Emmanuel Macron promoted a solution that took into account the interests of Russia and “the rest of Europe”.

Macron said after the five-hour marathon meeting with Vladimir Putin that he was hoping for a "de-escalation".

He called for a "useful answer" to the question of how to prevent a "war", the French President said.

The goal is "real security and stability on the European continent".

"We must work together to develop new concrete security guarantees," said Macron, without giving details.

"There is still time to take the path that keeps the peace," he added. Macron referred to the severely tense situation on the Ukrainian border.

"There are 125,000 soldiers stationed there, that can make you nervous," he said, praising Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his "calmness."

Putin again accused Ukraine of not respecting the Minsk Agreement and for its part gathering soldiers in the border area.

France currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union and therefore also represents the other members of the EU.

With "de-escalation and dialogue", the French President wants to achieve a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

Timetable in the Ukraine conflict: Macron is also planning to meet with the Ukrainian president

Macron also wants to meet Selenskyj in Kiev on Tuesday morning (February 8).

A meeting of Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), French President Emmanuel Macron and Poland's President Andrzej Duda on the Ukraine conflict is planned for Tuesday evening.

The so-called Weimar Triangle talks take place after the Chancellor's return from Washington.

Macron will provide information about his meeting with Putin and his conversation with Zelenskyy.

German Bundeswehr strengthens NATO's eastern flank by 350 soldiers

Update from February 7th, 3:50 p.m .:

The Bundeswehr is increasing its presence in Lithuania by up to 350 soldiers.

"We are thus strengthening our contribution to NATO's eastern flank and sending a clear signal of determination to our alliance partners," said Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) on Monday during a visit to the Munster military training area.

The message to the alliance partners is: "You can rely on us."

The additional soldiers could "be deployed within a few days," said the minister.

She informed the Bundestag about the decision “a few minutes ago”.

Around 500 Bundeswehr soldiers are currently stationed in Lithuania, which borders the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and Belarus and has been part of NATO since 2004, as part of the western military alliance's so-called front presence. 

Ukraine crisis: Macron is now announcing "historical things" - but Putin's spokesman is already stepping on the brakes

Update from February 7, 2:40 p.m .:

Emmanuel Macron gave an outlook on his talks in Moscow – and promised great things: he would talk to Putin about “the conditions for de-escalation”, Macron told the

.

He wanted to discuss "historic solutions" with the Russian head of state, said the French President.

Macron demonstrated understanding: Russia's goal is "clearly not Ukraine", rather Moscow is striving for new security agreements with the West.

Macron stressed that there should be no compromises on the "security and sovereignty" of Ukraine and Europe.

At the same time, he described it as "legitimate for Russia to raise the question of its own security" and admitted that "no unilateral gestures" could be expected from Putin.

Unlike Macron, however, the Russian side had previously had doubts about "decisive turns" at the meeting (

).

The French head of state is expected in Moscow at the moment.

After a conversation lasting several hours, Macron and Putin want to appear before the press.

Ukraine: German word "war" causes resentment in Russia - NATO admiral gives assessment for the Baltic States

Preliminary report:

Moscow/Kiev - There seems to be a little standstill in the Ukraine crisis: US troops arrived in Poland on Sunday, Russia had recently repeatedly strengthened its troop formations and military equipment around the Ukrainian border.

According to Western information, more than 100,000 soldiers including heavy equipment.

Dramatic model calculations on the consequences of an invasion are already circulating.

But now the situation must be interpreted politically - and if possible defused.

The new week begins with a purely diplomatic major offensive.

Ukraine conflict: Scholz and Baerbock traveling - Kremlin dampens expectations of Macron-Putin meetings

Germany is now also heavily involved again: Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) traveled to Washington for talks with US President Joe Biden.

His Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) is a guest in Kiev and on the so-called contact line in eastern Ukraine.

But Moscow is also busy: French President Emmanuel Macron meets his counterpart Vladimir Putin.

The Élysée emphasized that Macron's attempt at mediation had been agreed with all partners.

Scholz also referred to “agreements” on Sunday, especially in the dispute over the Nord Stream sanctions*.

However, the result is open in both cases, to say the least.

The United States could urge Scholz to make clear threats.

The Kremlin, in turn, dampened expectations of the Macron talks.

The meeting was "very important," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday, according to the Interfax agency.

But he also emphasized: "Of course, the situation is too complicated to expect any decisive turns in the course of a meeting."

Emmanuel Macron* had often phoned both heads of state in the past few days to achieve de-escalation.

According to the Kremlin, Putin had reiterated his demand for "long-term" security guarantees.

A difficult point for the West - especially if it's not about stationing weapons, but about the freedom of decision of Ukraine, but also of Sweden and Finland, about a possible NATO membership.

Russia eyes German Ukraine debate: "The word 'war' is being heard more and more often"

So the situation is complex: the military movements speak one language - verbal reassurances from both sides another.

On Monday, a commentary by the newspaper

, which is now close to the Kremlin, provided an insight into parts of the Russian state of mind .

"The word 'war' has been heard more and more in the German media in recent days, despite repeated statements by the Kremlin and the Russian Foreign Ministry that no invasion is being prepared," it said.

At the same time, the newspaper referred to German concerns about an impending loss of confidence in Chancellor Scholz* by the United States.

In fact, even NATO sees at least no signs of possible attacks on its allies' territory.

"So far we don't see any intention: we don't expect Russia to attack NATO territory - neither directly nor via Belarus," Admiral Rob Bauer, chairman of NATO's military committee, said on Monday during a visit to Lithuania, according to a report by the BNS news agency.

From a military point of view, the mobilization of Russian armed forces in Belarus* should be seen as a "combination of possibilities".

Russia and Belarus want to start a joint maneuver this week, which will also take place at the EU's external border.

NATO Admiral Rob Bauer made a statement in Lithuania on Monday.

© Lukas Balandis/www.imago-images.de

Ukraine crisis: Baerbock's state secretary is considering increasing the number of Bundeswehr troops in Lithuania

Meanwhile, Germany is also thinking of doubling the Bundeswehr contingent in neighboring Russia, Lithuania*.

Foreign Minister of State Tobias Lindner (Greens) said on Deutschlandfunk on Monday that there would be up to a thousand German soldiers in the EU and NATO partner countries.

A decision on increasing the quota should be made in the next few days.

Lindner pointed out on Deutschlandfunk that Russia's increase in the contingent could not be interpreted as a serious threat.

Should this happen, then "that would be propaganda," said the Green politician.

The representative from Annalena Baerbock's Foreign Office emphasized that there had already been German contingents of 800 to 1,000 soldiers in the Baltic States in the past.

Such an order of magnitude is now being discussed again.

(

*

.