French President Emmanuel Macron awaits the arrival of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez for a meeting at the Elysee Palace against the background of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in Paris, France, March 21, 2022. REUTERS / Benoit Tessier / File photo
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PARIS, April 18 (Reuters) – French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that his dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin had stalled after mass killings were uncovered in Ukraine.
“After the massacres we found in Bucha and other cities, the war took a different turn, so I haven’t spoken directly to him since, but I don’t rule out doing so in the future,” Macron told France 5 TV.
Russia called the allegations that its forces executed civilians in Bucha while occupying the city a “monstrous forgery” aimed at denigrating the Russian army.
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Asked why he did not follow the example of other European leaders and traveled to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, Macron said a show of support was not necessary after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24th.
“I will return to Kyiv, but I will go there to bring something useful with me … because it is obvious that I do not need to travel there to show this support,” Macron said, adding that he had spoken. about 40 years. times from the start of the war to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.
“If I go to Kyiv, it will be for a change,” he said.
The Kremlin says it has launched a “special military operation” to demilitarize and “liberate” Ukraine from nationalist extremists. Ukraine and the West say Putin has started an unprovoked aggressive war.
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Report by Tasilo Hummel; Edited by Nick McPhee
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