Official: France wants to avoid fallout of Ukrainian escalation

PARIS, Feb 8 (PRIME) -- French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Moscow was a necessary step because France wants to avoid economic consequences of escalation of tensions in Ukraine, especially higher natural gas prices, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Tuesday during a broadcast of the France Inter radio station.

“I think this visit was more than necessary. De-escalation is the only option that the president of the Republic defends, and which he defended at the meeting with (President Vladimir) Putin yesterday in Moscow,” Le Maire said.

“Escalation of the conflict will create insurmountable difficulties, including economic, for everyone. It will lead to a jump of prices for gas and consequently for electric power. This is what we would like to avoid.”

The meeting between Macron and Putin lasted for over five hours. On Tuesday, Macron flew to Kiyv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

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