Emmanuel Macron suggests EU to start 'own dialogue with Russia' on Ukraine border conflict

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU should initiate its own discussions with Russia inste of relying on Washington amid growing concerns of Russia plotting a military invasion of Ukraine. He also forewarned of most "tragic" possibility of all: war.

Macron said in a wide-ranging dress in Strasbourg that negotiating with Kremlin over its dangers to peace was t eugh, and that Europe needed to be heard. French president ded that he intended to revive rmandy model of four-way talks between Russia, Germany, France, and Ukraine to find a solution to increasing issue.

“I think our credibility vis-a-vis Russia lies primarily in entering into demanding dialogue. And we see that looking at dialogue that US and Russia are currently undertaking. I think that it is good for re to be coordination between Europe and US but it is vital that Europe has its own dialogue with Russia,” Emmanuel Macron stated as he kicked off his country's six-month presidnecy of EU.

Furr, on Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron urged European Union to immediately draft a new security plan with measures to help de-escalate tensions with Russia. Macron stated that EU must complete a European proposal for a new security and stability policy in coming weeks. According to him, EU should create it amongst mselves, n share it with NATO partners, and n submit it to Russia for negotiation.

NATO aims to set up series of meetings with Russia

Macron's comments to EU members in Strasbourg, France, come just a day after NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg anunced military alliance was working on its own security recommendations. In near future, Stoltenberg aims to set up a series of meetings with Russia. Moreover, Macron told members of European Parliament that France and Germany were trying to resurrect structure for talks between Russia and Ukraine aimed at securing full implementation of two countries' 2015 peace deal.

In 2015, efforts of France and Germany helped to bring an end to large-scale hostilities in eastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces have been fighting Russia-backed separatists since 2014. However, battle, which has claimed lives of over 14,000 people, has remained dormant. Officials in Brussels argue that despite amassing more than 100,000 troops on its border with Ukraine, Russia has t been able to divide west in recent months.

Despite calls for a coordinated response, EU was left out of last week's negotiations between Russia and United States, NATO, and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Should a furr military assault occur, EU has vowed serious ecomic and diplomatic repercussions. However, 27 member states are split on what should trigger sanctions, with some believing that cyber-attacks or false-flag operations should be treated similarly to full-fledged operations.

(With inputs from ncies)