[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he will soon engage in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. As calls for negotiations to end the Ukraine war are rising in the West, attention is focused on whether President Putin will also express willingness to negotiate.
On the 3rd (local time), President Macron stated in an interview with his country's broadcaster TF1, "After discussing with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi and regarding civilian nuclear energy, I plan to have a conversation with President Putin."
President Macron said, "As President Putin has always mentioned, NATO is approaching Russia's doorstep, and the fear of weapon deployments that could threaten Russia is an essential issue we must resolve," adding, "These matters are issues for peace. We need to prepare how to protect our allies and member states, and how to guarantee security if Russia comes to the negotiating table."
This is seen as a proactive inducement for ceasefire negotiations, to the extent that it could be interpreted as partially acknowledging Russia's justification for invading Ukraine.
Until now, Ukraine and many Western countries have opposed any dialogue with President Putin. Immediate talks are viewed as potentially rewarding President Putin, who has invaded Ukraine for 10 months. Especially given that in the past three months Ukraine has been pushing Russian forces out of extensive areas, many remain skeptical about negotiations.
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