The Presidents of Russia and France – Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron – during a telephone conversation agreed to organize a trial on Monday between the OSCE, Russia and Ukraine. This was reported by Reuters, citing a senior French official.
According to the interlocutor of the agency, the leaders did not agree on who is responsible for the current tension in eastern Ukraine. According to Emmanuel Macron, the pro-Russian separatists are to blame, while Vladimir Putin blames the Ukrainians.
Reuters news agency reported that during Sunday’s telephone conversation, Macron and Putin agreed to take all measures to preserve peace. They also agreed that the search for diplomatic solutions should be intensified to escalate the crisis in eastern Ukraine.
Earlier Sunday, Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a separate telephone interview, discussed possible ways to ensure an immediate de-escalation. Volodymyr Zelensky during the conversation called for an immediate ceasefire in the eastern part of the country.
On Monday, a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council was held.
Poland, at the request of Ukraine, will convene an extraordinary meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council to discuss the crisis in the East and methods of diplomatic settlement of the conflict. The meeting will take place on Monday.
Ukraine and Western countries believe that the Russian concentration of troops on the Ukrainian border is intended to put pressure on Kiev and its supporting capitals. Military experts and Western governments speak of a real threat of Russian aggression. US President Joe Biden said he had reason to believe that “Vladimir Putin has already decided to attack.” Western countries have been making intense diplomatic efforts lately to stop the Russian invasion. Moscow denies any war.