US President Joe Biden. File photoWASHINGTON Feb 7US President Joe Biden discussed diplomacy and the situation around Ukraine with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, who will visit Russia on Monday, the White House said. Russian military forces on the borders of Ukraine,” the press release said. Biden and Macron reaffirmed their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. They agreed that their teams would stay in touch and continue consultations with allies and partners, including Ukraine, the White House added. Macron will meet with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday and arrive in Kiev on Tuesday. According to the French leader, the purpose of his visit to Russia is to prevent the escalation and deterioration of the situation around Ukraine. The Kremlin notes that the presidents of the Russian Federation and France at the talks will primarily discuss security guarantees. Kiev and Western states have recently been constantly claiming that Russia is stepping up «aggressive actions» near the borders of Ukraine. Moscow has repeatedly denied such accusations, saying that it does not threaten anyone and does not intend to attack anyone, and claims of «Russian aggression» are used as an excuse to place more NATO military equipment near Russian borders. The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that the West's statements about «Russian aggression» and the possibility of helping Kiev defend itself against it are both ridiculous and dangerous. Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is moving troops within its territory and at its own discretion. According to him, this does not threaten anyone and should not bother anyone.
