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Mr Macron at a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart following their meeting. EPA
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Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in the Kremlin in Moscow. EPA
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Mr Macron at a joint news conference with Mr Putin after five hours of talks. AP
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Mr Putin said proposals put forward by the French leader during their discussion could form a basis for moving forwards. The crisis was sparked by Russia's massing of troops on its border with Ukraine. EPA
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Mr Putin denied that Russia was acting aggressively towards Ukraine or the West. Reuters
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The Russian leader said Ukrainian authorities were to blame for the conflict in the east of the former Soviet state. Reuters
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Mr Macron said the discussion could "make a start in the direction in which we need to go, which is towards a de-escalation". AFP
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Mr Macron also travelled to Kiev to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, left. AFP
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Mr Macron at a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart following their meeting. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MENXKDQ4Z2FC73DSH6MYIWB5XY.jpg?smart=true&auth=6cb2161d90d7dd2598187df30701decbd202e1aa92b2443bd53ed624e8ed4db3&width=400&height=225)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in the Kremlin in Moscow. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DX2OLRIAZGENJOAQU2HSPPZ7DY.jpg?smart=true&auth=97e85395c8f731fe98b68d10893d95712ce2eac91f20e3e55e7da49169b44309&width=400&height=225)
Mr Macron at a joint news conference with Mr Putin after five hours of talks. AP
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Mr Putin said proposals put forward by the French leader during their discussion could form a basis for moving forwards. The crisis was sparked by Russia's massing of troops on its border with Ukraine. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ACD3QAOHUKTTXH6J27DCCJBBII.jpg?smart=true&auth=e0f5353313428863e2753fc8231260e9df69555b3aa16b252a804be4ed3c8138&width=400&height=225)
Mr Putin denied that Russia was acting aggressively towards Ukraine or the West. Reuters
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The Russian leader said Ukrainian authorities were to blame for the conflict in the east of the former Soviet state. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D5BVFDGMQKV7U6NBV5DYJMEQ3E.jpg?smart=true&auth=4d78c8732ad6f44d60ddf61452e5f5135ff40cbab6f66e73c0ddb02bb5d1c34d&width=400&height=225)
Mr Macron said the discussion could "make a start in the direction in which we need to go, which is towards a de-escalation". AFP
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Mr Macron also travelled to Kiev to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, left. AFP
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Mr Macron at a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart following their meeting. EPA
Ukraine's last days of peace: How Europe was deceived at Putin's long table
France's Emmanuel Macron claimed success in last-ditch peace talks — but to no avail
![Tim Stickings](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F345e69ed-58bd-4b19-a239-018e01f0c34d.png?smart=true&auth=95572e6b1caa26b15b89defef2bb7ebe406f60dfe25bf77d1fe90269af9b1b9f&width=70&height=70)
Tim Stickings
08 February, 2023
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