Correspondent Iris de Graaf: consultation does not seem to be a major breakthrough that Macron had hoped for
Putin reiterated the security demands, calling NATO the ‘enemy’ and ‘not a peaceful organization’: ‘Just ask the people of Iraq, Libya or Afghanistan’. He also blamed Kiev for the tensions and accused the Ukrainian government of human rights violations.
The only bright spot from this conversation was that Putin said some of Macron’s ideas and proposals – “though too early to discuss here now” – could provide the basis for further steps. Macron is going to Kiev tomorrow, and he and Putin have agreed to call as soon as he meets Ukrainian President Zelensky, where he will discuss those same proposals. The main question now is what exactly Macron has proposed.
Meanwhile, Putin keeps busy. The 100,000 soldiers are still at the border and all kinds of world leaders come to visit to make proposals and offers to Putin. He is taken seriously on the world stage and that gives Putin confidence. Today’s conversation with Macron also contributes to that.”
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