French President Emmanuel Macron met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Macron then met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv. Macron is trying to be the peacemaker. What's in it for him? Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas Ukraine Direct: Ukraine, Russia crisis: Why is Macron playing the peacemaker?

Are Emmanuel Macron's efforts to dial down tensions in Ukraine working? Do stakeholders expect diplomacy to deliver? WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma decodes the possibilities with correspondents from Moscow, Washington D.C. & London.

Gravitas Ukraine Direct: Russia Vs Ukraine: Can diplomacy deliver?

Vladimir Putin has hinted at a nuclear response if NATO attacks Russia. But can the Russian economy sustain a war? Has Putin calibrated his economy to fund conflicts? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas Ukraine Direct: Putin hints at nuclear response if NATO attacks

Does Vladimir Putin want a war or a face saver? What kind of concessions is he looking for? Romoeo Kokriatski, Managing Editor at The New Voice of Ukraine & foreign policy expert Svitlana Zalischuk decode his intentions in an exclusive conversation with Palki Sharma.

Gravitas Ukraine Direct: Ukraine Conflict: What does Putin really want?

The leaders of Germany, France and Poland on Tuesday urged Russia to pursue a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis during their meeting in Berlin. The joint request came after Germany, and France's leaders stepped up their diplomatic efforts amid rising tension between Russia and Ukraine in the last few days.

Ukraine Crisis: Leaders of Germany, France, Poland meet to prevent war in Europe

WION examines global issues with in-depth analysis and brings you a quick round-up of all the top headlines and breakings from all across the world.

WION Speed News: Russia, Ukraine tensions escalate

French president Emmanuel Macron became the first leader of a major western power to meet Vladimir Putin since Russia's military build-up near Ukraine. Macron called for calm as he shuttled between Moscow and Kyiv and said that he believes that steps can be taken to de-escalate the crisis.

French president Emmanuel Macron sees path to ease Russia-Ukraine crisis

French president Emmanuel Macron became the first leader of a major western power to meet Vladimir Putin since Russian troops near Ukraine. Macron called for calm as he shuttled between Moscow and Kyiv and said that he believes that steps can be taken to de-escalate the crisis. WION's executive editor Palki Sharma brings ground zero report from Ukraine.

French President Macron calls for calm to resolve Ukraine crisis

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday said that steps could be taken to de-escalate the Ukraine crisis and suggested both sides to stay calm. Macron shuttled from Moscow to Kyiv in an attempt to mediate a settlement and avoid war.

Ukraine Crisis: Macron calls for calm, meets both countries' presidents

Amid Russia's troop build up near Ukraine and the west deployment in eastern Europe, an intense week of diplomacy to ease the conflict has begun. Meanwhile, the United States and the European Union held talks to discuss Europe's energy supply as tensions mount.

US-EU talks on energy supply amid Russia-Ukraine conflict

Taking the west diplomacy forward to ease the Ukraine conflict and fears of a Russian invasion, French president Emmanuel Macron held talks with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Moscow that lasted for over five hours. Sitting across a long table from Putin at the kremlin macron said that the discussion was a start towards de-escalation.

Macron: Putin assured me of his readiness to engage in Russia-Ukraine crisis

Palki Sharma joins the 135th battalion of the Territorial Defence Forces as they train in snow-covered northern Ukraine. Can the civilian recruits step up against the massive Russian war machine? How are they moulded into battle-ready soldiers? Catch this ground report to find out.

Gravitas: WION ringside at Ukraine military drill

The Independence Square in Kyiv is no stranger to protests. From the anti-Soviet movement of 1990 to the Euromaidan of 2013-14, this iconic square is etched into Ukrainian history. Palki Sharma tells you the story of Kyiv's Independence Square.

Gravitas Ukraine Direct: The story of Euromaidan

Can diplomatic talks change the course of events in the Ukraine conflict? ZN,UA's International Desk Editor Alexander Khrebet & Strategic Studies Analyst Petro Burkoskyi decode the possibilities in an exclusive conversation with Palki Sharma.

Gravitas Ukraine Direct: WION interviews Petro Burkoskyi & Alexander Khrebet

The Russia-Ukraine conflict is being shaped from different capitals in the world. WION has correspondents tracking all sides of the story. Watch our Executive Editor Palki Sharma decode Monday's biggest developments with correspondents from Moscow, Washington DC & Brussels.

Gravitas Ukraine Direct: Russia vs Ukraine: WION decodes Monday's biggest developments

French President Emmanuel Macron visited Moscow in a last-ditch effort to de-escalate the stand-off in Ukraine. US intel suggests Kyiv would fall in 48 to 72 hours if Russia invades. Is the window for diplomacy shrinking? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas Ukraine Direct: Macron heads to Moscow, Kremlin circumspect

Amid tensions with Russia, Ukrainian women take self-defence courses and ready to stay and fight Viktoria Makarova, a construction company manager from Kharkiv is spending her weekends learning how to use guns, practising martial arts and honing her first aid skills

Ukraine Tension: women take self defence courses amid Russian threat

French President Emmanuel Macron leads talks to dissuade Russia from invading Ukraine. Macron offers concrete ‘security guarantees’ to Moscow, details of which not yet known.

French President Emmanuel Macron offers concrete ‘security guarantees’ to Moscow

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Kyiv, a day after meeting in Moscow with President Vladimir Putin. Macron is set to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over Ukraine border tensions.

French President Macron arrives in Kyiv following talks with Putin over Ukraine Crisis

Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in a bid to calm tensions over Ukraine. Macron told Putin that he seeks to avoid war and build trust.

Vladimir Putin holds talks with Emmanuel Macron for 5 hours in a bid to calm tensions over Ukraine

President Joe Biden said Monday "it would be wise"&nbsp;for Americans other than essential diplomats to leave Ukraine amid the Russian military threat.

Biden made his comments during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the White House, shortly after the two leaders met for talks about the simmering crisis.

The State Department has already authorized nonessential employees to leave and has called on all family members of diplomats in Ukraine to do so.

Biden also said Monday "there will no longer be Nord Stream 2,"&nbsp;a crucial Russia-to-Germany natural gas pipeline, if Russia further invades Ukraine with "tanks and troops."

International efforts to defuse the standoff over Ukraine intensified Monday, with French President Emmanuel Macron holding talks in Moscow and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Washington to coordinate policies as fears of a Russian invasion mounted.

The buildup of over 100,000 Russian troops near Ukraine has fueled Western worries of a possible offensive. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan warned Sunday that Russia could invade Ukraine "any day,"&nbsp;triggering a conflict that would come at an "enormous human cost."

Russia has denied any plans to attack its neighbour but demands that the U.S. And its allies bar Ukraine and other former Soviet nations from joining NATO, halt weapons deployments there and roll back NATO forces from Eastern Europe. Washington and NATO reject those demands.

Speaking at the start of his meeting with Scholz, U.S. President Joe Biden said that the U.S. And Germany were "working in lockstep to further deter Russian aggression in Europe."

Scholz added: "We are closest allies and we are working intensely together, and this is necessary for doing the steps that we have to do, for instance, fighting against Russian aggression against Ukraine."

Macron, meanwhile, called for de-escalation as he began talks with President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin. "Dialogue is necessary because that's the only thing that will help, in my views, to build a context of a security and stability on the European continent,"&nbsp;Macron said, adding that he's ready to "start building an effective response."

Putin, in turn, praised France's role in shaping European security, saying he appreciates Macron's efforts to help ensure "an equal security in Europe"&nbsp;and broker a settlement to the Ukrainian crisis. "I realize that we share concern about what's going on in Europe in the security sphere,"&nbsp;the Russian leader said as he faced Macron across a long table.

Macron and Putin then met for hours of one-on-one talks and a meal that included fish soup, the choice of sturgeon or reindeer with sweet potatoes and pear pie with vanilla ice cream.

Macron, who heads Tuesday to Ukraine, spoke by phone Sunday with Biden. Before the Putin meeting, Macron said: "I don't believe in spontaneous miracles."

"The security and sovereignty of Ukraine or any other European state cannot be a subject for compromise, while it is also legitimate for Russia to pose the question of its own security,"&nbsp;Macron told the French newspaper Journal du Dimanche, adding he believes "the geopolitical objective of Russia today is clearly not Ukraine, but to clarify the rules of cohabitation with NATO and the EU."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov sought to temper expectations, saying "the situation is too complex to expect a decisive breakthrough after just one meeting,"&nbsp;and noting the West has ignored Moscow's security demands.

Before meeting Biden, Scholz told German media that "there will be a very high price if Ukraine is attacked militarily. And we are preparing for this very precisely and have been talking about the details for a long time.? Scholz will travel to Kyiv and Moscow Feb. 14-15.

Ahead of the visit, the White House sought to play down Germany's refusal to supply lethal weapons to Ukraine, bolster its troops in Eastern Europe or spell out which sanctions it would support against Russia ? a cautious stand that has drawn criticism abroad and inside Germany.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Monday again pushed back against criticism of Germany that it's not doing enough to support Ukraine.

"The president has also noted&nbsp;that different countries make different contributions,"&nbsp;Psaki said, noting Germany's significant nonmilitary aid to Ukraine.

Psaki also reiterated that the Nord Stream 2 Russian gas pipeline to Germany "will not move forward"&nbsp;should Russia further invade Ukraine. But she sidestepped questions about whether the Germans have given the White House assurances that it would shut off the pipeline that has been completed and is currently awaiting certification by German and EU regulators.

Separately German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said her country would add up to 350 troops within a few days to about 500 already a part of a NATO battlegroup in Lithuania. "With this, we are strengthening our contribution to forces on NATO's eastern flank and sending a very clear signal of unity to our allies,"&nbsp;she said.

Biden already has deployed additional U.S. Troops to Poland, Romania and Germany, and a few dozen elite U.S troops and equipment landed Sunday in southeastern Poland near the border with Ukraine, with hundreds more infantry troops of the 82nd Airborne Division set to arrive.

Britain said it was sending 350 troops to Poland to bolster NATO forces, joining 100 Royal Engineers already there.

President Joe Biden said Monday "it would be wise" for Americans other than essential diplomats to leave Ukraine amid the Russian military threat. Biden made his comments during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the White House, shortly after the two leaders met for talks about the simmering crisis.

President Joe Biden said Monday "it would be wise" for Americans other than essential diplomats to leave Ukraine amid the Russian military threat. Biden made his comments during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the White House, shortly after the two leaders met for talks about the simmering crisis. The State Department has already authorized nonessential employees to leave and has called on all family members of diplomats in Ukraine to do so. Biden also said Monday "there will no longer be Nord Stream 2," a crucial Russia-to-Germany natural gas pipeline, if Russia further invades Ukraine with "tanks and troops." International efforts to defuse the standoff over Ukraine intensified Monday, with French President Emmanuel Macron holding talks in Moscow and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Washington to coordinate policies as fears of a Russian invasion mounted. The buildup of over 100,000 Russian troops near Ukraine has fueled Western worries of a possible offensive. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan warned Sunday that Russia could invade Ukraine "any day," triggering a conflict that would come at an "enormous human cost." Russia has denied any plans to attack its neighbour but demands that the U.S. And its allies bar Ukraine and other former Soviet nations from joining NATO, halt weapons deployments there and roll back NATO forces from Eastern Europe. Washington and NATO reject those demands. Speaking at the start of his meeting with Scholz, U.S. President Joe Biden said that the U.S. And Germany were "working in lockstep to further deter Russian aggression in Europe." Scholz added: "We are closest allies and we are working intensely together, and this is necessary for doing the steps that we have to do, for instance, fighting against Russian aggression against Ukraine." Macron, meanwhile, called for de-escalation as he began talks with President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin. "Dialogue is necessary because that's the only thing that will help, in my views, to build a context of a security and stability on the European continent," Macron said, adding that he's ready to "start building an effective response." Putin, in turn, praised France's role in shaping European security, saying he appreciates Macron's efforts to help ensure "an equal security in Europe" and broker a settlement to the Ukrainian crisis. "I realize that we share concern about what's going on in Europe in the security sphere," the Russian leader said as he faced Macron across a long table. Macron and Putin then met for hours of one-on-one talks and a meal that included fish soup, the choice of sturgeon or reindeer with sweet potatoes and pear pie with vanilla ice cream. Macron, who heads Tuesday to Ukraine, spoke by phone Sunday with Biden. Before the Putin meeting, Macron said: "I don't believe in spontaneous miracles." "The security and sovereignty of Ukraine or any other European state cannot be a subject for compromise, while it is also legitimate for Russia to pose the question of its own security," Macron told the French newspaper Journal du Dimanche, adding he believes "the geopolitical objective of Russia today is clearly not Ukraine, but to clarify the rules of cohabitation with NATO and the EU." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov sought to temper expectations, saying "the situation is too complex to expect a decisive breakthrough after just one meeting," and noting the West has ignored Moscow's security demands. Before meeting Biden, Scholz told German media that "there will be a very high price if Ukraine is attacked militarily. And we are preparing for this very precisely and have been talking about the details for a long time.? Scholz will travel to Kyiv and Moscow Feb. 14-15. Ahead of the visit, the White House sought to play down Germany's refusal to supply lethal weapons to Ukraine, bolster its troops in Eastern Europe or spell out which sanctions it would support against Russia ? a cautious stand that has drawn criticism abroad and inside Germany. White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Monday again pushed back against criticism of Germany that it's not doing enough to support Ukraine. "The president has also noted that different countries make different contributions," Psaki said, noting Germany's significant nonmilitary aid to Ukraine. Psaki also reiterated that the Nord Stream 2 Russian gas pipeline to Germany "will not move forward" should Russia further invade Ukraine. But she sidestepped questions about whether the Germans have given the White House assurances that it would shut off the pipeline that has been completed and is currently awaiting certification by German and EU regulators. Separately German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said her country would add up to 350 troops within a few days to about 500 already a part of a NATO battlegroup in Lithuania. "With this, we are strengthening our contribution to forces on NATO's eastern flank and sending a very clear signal of unity to our allies," she said. Biden already has deployed additional U.S. Troops to Poland, Romania and Germany, and a few dozen elite U.S troops and equipment landed Sunday in southeastern Poland near the border with Ukraine, with hundreds more infantry troops of the 82nd Airborne Division set to arrive. Britain said it was sending 350 troops to Poland to bolster NATO forces, joining 100 Royal Engineers already there.

It 'would be wise' for Americans to leave Ukraine, says Biden

It is an intense week of diplomacy for the West on the Ukraine conflict. While French president Emmanuel Macron headed to Moscow and is on to Kyiv next, German chancellor Olaf Scholz headed to the White House. US President Joe Biden and German chancellor Olaf Scholz held detailed talks on the ongoing crisis but one key sticking point appeared to remain despite all pledges of unity the Nord stream 2 pipeline.

Biden pledges 'No Nord Stream 2 if Russia invades Ukraine'

As the threat of Russia possibly carrying an incursion into Ukraine looms, the United States has painted the most ominous of the picture so far. According to some senior officials in Washington DC, Russia has assembled almost about 70 percent of the military capabilities that it will be needing in case of a full-scale invasion.

United States assess possible Russian invasion of Ukraine

Germany is leading a NATO operation in Lithuania and has stationed around 500 soldiers there. Also, the German chancellor Olaf Scholz has offered a clarification on why Germany is not supplying weapons to the Ukraine.

Germany leads NATO operation in Lithuania, sends troops

Amid US warning of imminent invasion stating that Moscow had mustered 70% of the military force needed for an invasion in large scale, Ukraine has pushed back at the doomsday predictions.

Ukraine plays down ‘apocalyptic warnings’ over border crisis with Russia

Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba has called on Russia to de-escalate tensions along the country's border. He also reiterated that the regions of Donbas and Crimea are a part of Ukraine.

Ukraine FM Kuleba asks Russia to defuse border tensions

The United States has warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin could order for an attack on Ukraine within days or even weeks, as Washington and its European allies continues their efforts to try and de-escalate the situation.

US warns Russian invasion of Ukraine could happen 'any day'

The Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has spoken with the American president Joe Biden on the Russia-Ukraine stalemate and also the revival of the JCPOA deal with Iran, our next report gets you all the details.

Israel's Bennett spoke with US President Biden on Iran, Ukraine- Russia stalemate

The Kremlin said on Monday (February 7) that it did not expect any major breakthrough from talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron. But the Kremlin expected that Macron would propose ways to ease tensions in Europe.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Pescov said in a briefing that the Ukraine Crisis was expected to dominate the talks between two leaders.

Moscow denies planning an invasion of Ukraine but is seeking security guarantees including a pledge that Ukraine must never allowed to join NATO.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/before-crucial-trip-to-russia-french-president-emmanuel-macron-talks-to-us-president-joe-biden-451105">Before crucial trip to Russia, French President Emmanuel Macron talks to US President Joe Biden</a>

The West has rejected that, but said it is willing to discuss other issues such as arms control.

Macron is expected to seek commitments from Putin to dial down the tensions.

"The situation is too complex to expect decisive breakthroughs in the course of one meeting," Peskov said.

But he said Russia was aware of certain ideas for lowering tensions that Macron had spoken about before and planned to share with Putin.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ex-ukraine-defence-chief-says-russia-could-seize-any-city-in-ukraine-but-will-it-plan-full-scale-invasion-451199">Ex-Ukraine defence chief says Russia could seize any city in Ukraine. But will it plan full-scale invasion?</a>

Peskov said it was not possible to speak of a lull in tensions while Western governments continued to talk about a looming Russian attack on Ukraine.

He said Moscow had heard nothing new in recent days on the security guarantees it is requesting, and "our Western interlocutors prefer not to mention this topic."

(With inputs from agencies)

The Kremlin said on Monday (February 7) that it did not expect any major breakthrough from talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.

The Kremlin said on Monday (February 7) that it did not expect any major breakthrough from talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron. But the Kremlin expected that Macron would propose ways to ease tensions in Europe. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Pescov said in a briefing that the Ukraine Crisis was expected to dominate the talks between two leaders. Moscow denies planning an invasion of Ukraine but is seeking security guarantees including a pledge that Ukraine must never allowed to join NATO. Also Read | Before crucial trip to Russia, French President Emmanuel Macron talks to US President Joe Biden The West has rejected that, but said it is willing to discuss other issues such as arms control. Macron is expected to seek commitments from Putin to dial down the tensions. "The situation is too complex to expect decisive breakthroughs in the course of one meeting," Peskov said. But he said Russia was aware of certain ideas for lowering tensions that Macron had spoken about before and planned to share with Putin. Also Read | Ex-Ukraine defence chief says Russia could seize any city in Ukraine. But will it plan full-scale invasion? Peskov said it was not possible to speak of a lull in tensions while Western governments continued to talk about a looming Russian attack on Ukraine. He said Moscow had heard nothing new in recent days on the security guarantees it is requesting, and "our Western interlocutors prefer not to mention this topic." (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine Crisis: Expecting no decisive breakthrough from Putin-Macron talks, says Kremlin

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in a bid to help de-escalate the tense situation around Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron heads to Russia to try to ease Ukraine tensions

Amidst the American warnings of an 'imminent invasion' into Ukraine, interestingly, Ukraine has pushed back against the apocalyptic assessment and played down the fears of Russian invasion. Palki Sharma gets you the ground report.

Ukraine plays down apocalyptic warnings amidst US' warnings of an 'imminent invasion'

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