French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed Friday on the need for de-escalation and continued dialogue in the Ukrainian crisis, the French Presidency announced.

The telephone conversation between the two leaders, which lasted more than an hour, allowed them to agree on the need for de-escalation, said the Elysee. President Putin did not express any offensive intention. He said very clearly that he was not looking for confrontation.

 

On strategic security in Europe, the two heads of state agreed on the continuation of the dialogue, which will require that Europeans be fully involved in this dialogue, which primarily involves the United States and NATO.

 

On the conflict in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian separatists have been clashing with Kiev since 2014, President Putin himself insisted on the existing format of talks (known as Normandy) that brings together Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France and aims to implement the 2015 Minsk peace agreements, according to a Kremlin statement.

 

He also wished to continue with the president (Macron) the discussion initiated today, added the Elysee. The dialogue is difficult but the channels of discussion are open.

 

The French president will also meet with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky late Friday afternoon.

 

He will tell him tonight our commitment to the sovereignty of Ukraine, our solidarity in this period of tension and our commitment to continue negotiations to find a way to implement the Minsk agreements, added the French Presidency.