What conclusions can be drawn from Emmanuel Macron’s travels?

Monday in Russia, Tuesday in Ukraine … Emmanuel Macron has chained visits to try to find a way out of the Ukrainian crisis. After a three-hour meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President, he reaffirmed France’s support for Ukraine and returned to his discussion with Vladimir Putin. “He told me that he would not be the cause of an escalation, I think that is important. For the rest, no one is naive: the recent deployments are linked to a situation of tension”says the head of state.

No troop withdrawal in sight

Some 125,000 Russian soldiers are still stationed on the border with Ukraine, in Belarus and in Crimea. Even a partial withdrawal of troops, whether land, sea or air, would be a gesture of appeasement expected by Westerners. But on this point, Vladimir Putin does not want to concede anything.

Tuesday evening, in Berlin (Germany), the French and Polish presidents and the German chancellor send a message of unity. A new meeting is to be held Thursday in the German capital with the aim of organizing a summit bringing together France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine.