Vladimir Putin holds talks with Emmanuel Macron from a distance in a bid to calm tensions over Ukraine
VLADIMIR Putin holds talks with Emmanuel Macron from a distance — as the pair sit at different ends of a huge table to discuss security.
The presidents of Russia and France met in the Kremlin yesterday in a bid to calm tensions in the region.
Mr Macron said there needed to be a useful response for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Mr Putin hailed France’s role in shaping European security.
Macron called for de-escalation on the Ukraine border as he sat down for the talks, adding: “Dialogue is necessary because that’s the only thing that will help to build a context of a security and stability on the continent.”
Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, described the visit as “very important,” but added: “The situation is too complex to expect a decisive breakthrough after just one meeting.”
Russia has 100,000 troops at the Ukraine border and Putin is demanding Nato and US security guarantees.
As fears of an invasion soared, it was revealed yesterday that Britain is sending an extra 350 troops — elite Royal Marines from 45 Commando — to Poland.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace vowed to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with Poland as he hiked UK forces there from 250 to 600.
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