Macron Steps in to Soothe West-Russia Relations

LOCAL NEWS

• French President Macron says his negotiations with Putin (1500GMT, presser 1745GMT) are ‘likely to prevent war in Ukraine.’ Says a deal is within reach as Russia’s goal is not Ukraine, but a clarification of rules with NATO & the EU.
  • Also cautioned against expecting Moscow to de-escalate unilaterally, arguing that Russia had the right to raise its own concerns. Macron called for a new balance in Europe to keep the peace and stability
• US’ Jake Sullivan says Russia has accumulated at least 70% of the military force needed to invade Ukraine by Mid-February and that an invasion could take place “at any time, or in a few weeks.”
  • Notes, however, that Biden continues to support diplomacy and said that the Us remains open to more meetings with Russia & NATO. Warns the number of tactical battalions near Ukraine has risen from 60 to 83 in two weeks. Ukraine’s Zelensky again downplayed risks of an invasion, saying chances of a diplomatic solution were “substantially higher”
• EU’s Borrell warns Russia is better prepared for the West’s sanctions than the West in the event that Russia shuts off its gas supplies.
  • Notes Russia’s high foreign reserves, while the EU has done little to offset its reliance on Russian energy. Says the EU is intensifying efforts with the US to boost cooperation on Energy
• From Thursday Russia will begin its major military drills in Belarus with 30k troops, Spetznas units, su-35 jets and S-400 missile defence systems until 20 Feb – after which they are expected to return to Russia in line with Officials’ comments.
  • Russian troop numbers are at 135k with 150k needed for a full invasion, according to the US