Europe Will Face Military Conflict If Ukraine Joins NATO — Putin

Russia's President, Vladimir Putin said in a statement on Monday, that the five-hour meeting with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, regarding the situation in Ukraine, was useful.

Amid Russia's planned invasion of Ukraine, Putin also issued a stark warning, saying that; "If Ukraine joins NATO, European countries will be drawn into military conflict with Russia."

"Many of Macron's ideas are realistic in terms of future steps."

"It is possible to move forward with some of his proposals."

The Daily Sabah claimed that Macron stressed that; “NATO’s open-door policy is essential and that Putin has strong views that are not always the same as ours in Europe.”

He added that; "The territorial integrity of nation-states has been breached over the past years and that the coming days are crucial."

"This discussion can make a start in the direction in which we need to go, which is toward a de-escalation."

Since the crisis of Russia's planned invasion of Ukraine began in December, Macron is the first top Western leader to meet Putin.