PUTIN, MACRON AGREE TO WORK FOR UKRAINE CEASEFIRE

Sun 20 February 2022:

Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Putin agreed on the need to find a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis.

In a phone conversation lasting 105 minutes, they also agreed on “the need to favour a diplomatic solution to the ongoing crisis and to do everything to achieve one”, the Elysee said, adding that French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov would meet “in the coming days”.

Macron and Putin also agreed that talks between Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany should resume to implement the so-called Minsk protocol – which in 2014 had already called for a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine.

The Kremlin said Putin also reiterated the need for the United States and NATO to take Russian demands for security guarantees seriously.

Hundreds rally for Ukraine at Warsaw demo

Hundreds of people rallied in the Old Town in central Warsaw in solidarity with neighbouring Ukraine against what they called “Russian aggression”.

Participants waved Ukrainian, Polish and EU flags as well as the standard used by the Belarusian opposition.

“We Are With Ukraine,” read one placard held up at the demonstration. Another said: “Hands Off Ukraine.”

Organisers said in a statement that the protest was “to express our opposition to yet another possible Russian aggression against Ukraine”.

Russian, French foreign ministers to speak Monday

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will speak with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian on Monday, the Russian foreign ministry said.

“As previously agreed, Sergei Lavrov was ready to have a telephone conversation with his French counterpart today. Le Drian was unable to today. So a telephone call is scheduled for Monday,” Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was cited as saying by agencies.

It is provocative of the West to predict Ukraine invasion dates: Kremlin

Western countries repeatedly predicting dates for a Russian invasion of Ukraine is provocative and can have adverse consequences, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency.

Putin takes no notice of such statements, Peskov said, adding that Moscow appeals to Western partners’ reason.

West ‘can’t keep offering olive branch’ while Russia masses troops: EU chief

Western allies cannot keep offering an olive branch while Russia continues to dial up tensions along the Ukrainian border, European Council President Charles Michel said.

“The big question remains: does the Kremlin want dialogue?” Michel asked at the Munich Security Conference.

“We cannot forever offer an olive branch while Russia conducts missile tests and continues to amass troops,” he added.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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