This Article is From Feb 10, 2022

France's Macron Dials Joe Biden After "Diplomatic" Russia, Ukraine Trips

Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron talked about ongoing diplomatic and deterrence efforts, undertaken in close coordination with our allies and partners.

France's Macron Dials Joe Biden After 'Diplomatic' Russia, Ukraine Trips

Macron met both with Russian President and Ukrainian President this week amid tension on border.

Washington:

US President Joe Biden got a debriefing Wednesday from his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron about meetings this week with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine, the White House said.

"They discussed President Macron's recent meetings," a statement said. "They also talked about ongoing diplomatic and deterrence efforts, undertaken in close coordination with our allies and partners, in response to Russia's continued military build-up on Ukraine's borders."

Macron met both with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this week in a bid to find a diplomatic path out of the crisis sparked by Russia's positioning of a large military force on Ukraine's border, while demanding that the ex-Soviet republic never be allowed to join the Western NATO alliance.

Both French and Russian officials have made cautiously optimistic statements since then, although the Kremlin has sent mixed signals and continues its huge build-up of forces on Ukraine's sea and land borders.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who was at the White House on Monday, is to visit Ukraine and Russia next week.

The White House has said repeatedly that it is working to maintain a united front with European capitals.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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