Breaking news… Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed “Russia’s security guarantees and the Ukraine crisis” in Moscow.
Putin and Macron met in the Kremlin Palace. After the meeting, which lasted more than 5 hours, both leaders spoke at the joint press conference.
Stating that the meeting was meaningful and beneficial, Putin said that he and Macron exchanged views on the issue of security guarantees offered by Russia to the United States and NATO.
Noting that the proposals for NATO not to expand to the east, to return to its borders in 1997 and not to place weapons on Russia’s borders, were ignored by the USA and NATO, Putin said, “We cannot ignore, among other things, that NATO’s military strategy in 2019 includes Russia as the main security threat and called us the enemy. NATO identified us as the enemy.” used the phrases.
“NATO IS TRYING TO TEACH RUSSIA”
Emphasizing that NATO has brought its military infrastructure closer to Russia’s borders, Putin said that NATO and its member states are “trying to teach a lesson” on where and how to deploy the Russian armed forces. Arguing that Russia is moving towards Russia, not NATO, Putin pointed out that it is unreasonable to say that his country is acting aggressively.
Emphasizing that he finds it “incomprehensible” for what reason the movement of Russian military units within Russian territory poses a threat to neighboring countries, Putin said that this situation is used to pursue a hostile policy against Moscow. “NATO member countries themselves continue to fill Ukraine with modern weapons, allocate significant financial resources for the modernization of the Ukrainian army, and send military experts, trainers,” Putin said. he said.
“IF UKRAINE ENTERS NATO, WAR STARTS BETWEEN RUSSIA AND NATO”
Pointing out that if Ukraine is included in NATO, a war will break out, Putin reminded that European countries, including France, count Crimea as part of Ukraine, while Moscow counts Crimea as Russia. Putin continued his speech as follows:
“In the doctrinal documents of Ukraine, Russia is defined as the ‘enemy’ and it is stated that the Crimea will be taken back by military means. So imagine that Ukraine is a member of NATO. Then there will be a military conflict between Russia and NATO. Do we want to fight NATO? Or do you want to fight with Russia? Do you want France to fight Russia?”
NO ALTERNATIVES OTHER THAN MINSK AGREEMENTS
Noting that the current Kiev administration is of the opinion that it is following a way to terminate the Minsk agreements, Putin emphasized that there is no alternative other than these agreements.
Stating that the Kiev administration ignored all peace opportunities to ensure the territorial integrity of the country through direct dialogue with Donetsk and Lugansk, Putin expressed that he hoped to discuss these issues in detail during Macron’s visit to Kiev, and stated that they would meet with Macron on the phone again after the visit.
Putin noted that a number of Macron’s ideas are positive for the steps to be taken on Ukraine.
Pointing out that the dialogue with the USA and NATO on security guarantees has not ended, Putin reminded that they could not get a response to their proposals on this issue.
Noting that they are preparing a response to Russia’s response to the US and NATO regarding security guarantees, Putin said, “Now we are preparing an answer with our own vision. We will send the answer to Washington and Brussels.” used the phrases.
Reminding that the former President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, was tried as a criminal in his country, Putin suggested that Poroshenko come to Russia as a political asylum seeker.
MACRON: “RUSSIA AND EUROPE SHOULD SHOW THE WILL TO BUILD SECURITY ORDER TOGETHER”
French President Macron stated that Russia and Europe should work together on security guarantees and said, “We must show our will together that we are ready to work on security guarantees for stability and to build a new security order in Europe. This must be based on the foundation we have built together as sovereign states.”
Emphasizing the need to build new mechanisms to ensure stability in the region, Macron said, “However, this cannot be built by revising the agreements and fundamental principles of the last 30 years or by limiting fundamental European rights.”
Pointing out that Russia and the European Union (EU) should agree on concrete measures to reduce tensions and stabilize the situation, Macron emphasized that Russia and European countries will not want chaos.
Stating that the EU and Russia should resolve the tension in Ukraine, Macron reminded that the work continues within the framework of the Normandy format for the full implementation of the Minsk agreements and the resolution of the conflict in Donbas.
“UKRAINE ISSUE CAN ONLY BE RESOLVED POLITICALLY”
Noting that the Minsk agreements will lead to progress in the resolution of the crisis in Ukraine, Macron said that he will tell the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelenskiy, “The solution to the Ukraine issue can only be political, and the basis of this solution is the Minsk agreements.” said.
Noting that Zelenskiy was “tense” about the Russian military units of 125,000 people near the Ukrainian borders, Macron underlined that despite this, Zelenskiy behaved “cold-blooded” and that this should be welcomed.
Macron said that they are confident that they will be able to establish security and stability in Europe, considering the developments they have already had within the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Macron stated that he was disturbed by the President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko’s words that he could place nuclear weapons in the country and the constitutional change in this country, but Putin calmed him on this issue.
AA