French President to meet Putin in bid to ease Russia-Ukraine tension

French President Emmanuel Macron speaking to media ahead of Russia trip

France’s President Emmanuel Macron is due to fly to Moscow to meet with Vladimir Putin in an effort to ease tensions between Russia, Ukraine and the West.

Russia has placed 100,000 troops along the border with Ukraine but denies it is preparing to invade its neighbor. Moscow does not want Ukraine to join NATO, fearful of the western alliance next to its border.

On Tuesday Macron is to fly to the Ukrainian capital Kiev.