Russian, Ukrainian officials meet in bid to ease tensions

Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Paris for talks on Wednesday in a bid to defuse soaring tensions, with France seeking to usher both sides down a “path to de-escalation”.   

The high-level meeting, attended by senior diplomats from France and Germany, brings together the four countries in a format that has been used repeatedly since Russia’s 2014 annexation of the Ukrainian province of Crimea.   

Russia is represented by vice-prime minister Dmitri Kozak and Ukraine by presidential advisor Andriy Yermak, with diplomatic advisors to President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also taking part in the talks that began at 1100 GMT.   

France, which floated ideas for a “de-escalation” on Monday, is keen for Europe to try to solve the crisis, is hoping that Russia is prepared to engage in talks.   
 “It’s very encouraging that the Russians agreed to enter into this diplomatic format again”, an aide to Macron said on Wednesday on condition of anonymity.