Macron says Europe must find way to interact with Putin

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that Europe must find a way to engage directly with Russia's leader.

As reported by Bloomberg, Macron said that either a lasting peace would be achieved through the current US-led negotiations, "or we find ways for Europeans to re-engage in a dialog with Russia – in transparency and association with Ukraine".

"It will become useful again to speak to Vladimir Putin," he said.

Macron made the remark after European Union leaders agreed to provide €90 billion in support for Ukraine over the next two years, backed by the EU budget. The decision marked a significant departure from the EU's earlier plan to use frozen Russian assets within the bloc to secure a loan.

"We, Europeans and Ukrainians, have an interest in finding the right framework to re-engage in this discussion in a proper manner," Macron said.

"Otherwise, we will be discussing among ourselves with negotiators who will then go and discuss with the Russians on their own. That is not ideal," he explained.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday 18 December that he believes negotiations to end the war in Ukraine were approaching a result.