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France says Macron, Merkel, Zelensky to discuss Russia tensions Friday
PARIS, April 15, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – The leaders of France, Germany and Ukraine will on Friday discuss the escalating tensions in eastern Ukraine and the massive Russian military build-up along the border, President Emmanuel Macron’s office said.
Macron will receive President Volodymyr Zelensky for lunch in Paris, and both men will then talk with Chancellor Angela Merkel by video link, the Elysee said Thursday.
Tensions have risen once again in the long-simmering conflict in eastern Ukraine, where government forces have battled pro-Russian separatists since 2014.
Ukraine on Thursday accused Russia of threatening it with destruction and warned Moscow that any escalation of fighting would be met with a firm military response.
Kiev and its Western allies are particularly alarmed about a huge build-up of Russian military personnel along Ukraine’s northern and eastern borders, as well as on the Crimean peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014.
On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden and Merkel agreed to call on Russia to reduce its military deployment along the border.
Russia’s defence ministry says the troops are merely responding to “threatening” NATO actions by participating in military drills.
BSS/AFP/BZC/2056HRS