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5:07
Macron proposes to Putin a solution for the crisis in Ukraine
Through a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the president of France, he focused on European unity against Russia.
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, will not allow the slightest break in the positions of Germany and France to maintain the Normandy agreements.
In addition, he indicated that he will communicate with the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, to present him with a proposal to reduce the tension on the Ukrainian border.
During his visit to Berlin, the president of France made his position clear in conjunction with Germany, despite the fact that within the German executive committee, the Greens party (Die Grünen in German), has communicated its opposition to this position.
Macron acknowledged that for German politics the sale of weapons is a sensitive issue, but stressed that previously with Chancellor Angela Merkel, they had already developed similar regulations.
Without prior questioning, the president added that Spain had previously intervened, assuring that there will be pragmatism in the solution. This statement refers to the fact that there is a quorum among the countries of Europe to present a unilateral position.
However, the fundamental objective of the negotiations within the Normandy format, which includes Germany, Russia, France and Ukraine, is dialogue. Macron assured that he was not going to stop a conversation with Russia.
The position of France and Germany is to propose two ways: accept the proposal to stop the military incursion on the border or continue with the military escalation and face the consequences. If moving forward is accepted, Russia will get a very harsh response.
European sanctions
Some sanctions that have leaked from Washington against Moscow in the event of an assault on Ukraine would be unprecedented, surpassing the 2014 sanctions.
From export restriction of products manufactured with allied technology such as microchips, computers, energy systems and aviation.
There are also sanctions against banking entities that finance the Russian military movement: Vnesheconombank, Gazprombank, VTB Bank and Sberbank. However, the foreign minister has disagreed on removing Russia from the Swift payment system.
Macron assures that a joint response is being coordinated in parallel in the event of an attack on Ukraine.
On the other hand, Scholz stated that Russia is expected to move to end tensions, emphasizing that Russia would pay a high price if it invaded Ukraine.
Macron pointed to Putin, criticizing that Russia's behavior is that of an unbalanced country, not only because of its decisions against Ukraine but also in Belarus and Moldova.
Since 2014, the Normandy format has been in force, created to resolve the conflict in Donbass.
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron together with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz last December urged Russia to resume talks.
According to sources from the French government present in Berlin, a slowdown by Russia will be examined with some proposals that will be put to Putin.
For example, humanitarian measures would be organized and separatists loyal to the Kremlin would be urged to negotiate with Ukraine the situation of the territories that seek to separate from the country.
At the same time, a decrease in the military presence or a public statement by the Russian government about its true intention could ease the current state of emergency.
Gas from russia
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed Germany on Tuesday to reduce its dependence on Russian gas.
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Liz Truss, also alluded to the convenience of preventing the questioned Nord Stream II gas pipeline, which connects Russia and Germany, from coming into operation in the event that the conflict escalates.
In his statement, Johnson said that the German reality of being more dependent on Russia than the UK for gas had to be respected. He added that it would be a great sacrifice, but you have to be patient for them to make the decision in the name of European peace.
In previous talks, Germany had asked to maintain the opening of payments to Russia, since they are necessary to import the gas. But, so far there is no confirmation that the German government has made a decision.
The possible economic sanctions also incorporate the RDIF fund, which supervises the most important investments in Russia. In addition, the prohibition of owning and exchanging Russian government bonds, and securities of companies that are sanctioned, is being studied. This would block Russia's foreign debt.
The sanctions would affect many sectors of Russia, as they are considered far-reaching sanctions. For example, the metallurgical sector and the production of steel, aluminum and different metals would have to reduce their productivity or even stop.
