PARIS, Feb 18 (Reuters) – Western countries remain determined to dissuade Russia from invading Ukraine and are concerned about reports of explosions in eastern Ukraine that resemble pretexts already used by Moscow in the past, an official from the presidency of the French Republic said on Friday.
If Russian President Vladimir Putin decides to invade Ukraine, France and its allies will react to reassure their Eastern European partners, added this official who spoke to journalists following a discussion between Western leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and his American counterpart Joe Biden.
“We will switch to another geopolitical reality in Europe” in the event of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, continued this official.
Emmanuel Macron will meet with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodimir Zelenski on Saturday and then with Vladimir Putin on Sunday. (Report Michel Rose, French version Bertrand Boucey)
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