Macron urges 'frank' EU dialogue with Russia, political solution on Ukraine

The European Union must hold a "frank dialogue" with Russia and seek a political solution to the tensions over Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron told the European Parliament on Wednesday. Addressing lawmakers at the start of France's six-months presidency of the EU, Macron said EU countries must also define among themselves a "new stability and security order" that they would then discuss with Moscow.

The European Union must hold a "frank dialogue" with Russia and seek a political solution to the tensions over Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron told the European Parliament on Wednesday.

Addressing lawmakers at the start of France's six-month presidency of the EU, Macron said EU countries must also define among themselves a "new stability and security order" that they would then discuss with Moscow. "The security of our continent is indivisible", Macron said, referring to Russia.

A proponent of the EU has its own "strategic autonomy" in the field of defense, Macron added that the bloc must bring itself to a position to make sure "it can be respected," including by making sure it is not too dependent on Russia for its energy supplies. Speaking amid growing worries over a Russian military build-up at Ukraine's borders, Macron said that France, together with Germany, wants to continue seeking a political response to the tensions over Ukraine in the so-called Normandy format, which brings together Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France.

Earlier U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who arrived in Kyiv for talks, warned that Russia could launch a new attack at "very short notice". Separately, Macron said the EU must review its relationships with the Western Balkans and offer them sincere prospects of joining the bloc.

The EU must also propose a new alliance to African countries, he said, adding that EU and African countries would discuss it at a summit in February.