Macron/Putin call: Not looking good, Putin wants all of Ukraine

[Bettie]

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/03/world/europe/putin-macron-call.html (Sorry about paywall)

A Putin-Macron call leaves France persuaded that Russia wants ‘control of all of Ukraine.’

(First four paragraphs)
A phone conversation between President Emmanuel Macron of France and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia on Thursday offered little hope that the fighting in Ukraine would abate any time soon, with the Kremlin saying it had no intention of backing down from a war that “is going according to plan” and the French presidency warning that Mr. Putin appeared determined to invade the entire country.

“Our analysis of the military operations is that the Russian ambitions are to take control of all of Ukraine,” said a senior official in the French presidency, who briefed reporters on the 90-minute conversation between the two leaders and said Mr. Macron expressed “pessimism” after the call.

Nothing is certain about the success of Russia’s operations, but “we have to expect that the worst is to come,” said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity in keeping with French government practice. “There is nothing in what President Putin said that should reassure us,” the official added.

The call, which the French presidency said came at the Kremlin’s request, was the third discussion between the two leaders since the start of the war. Mr. Macron, who was expected to announce his candidacy for re-election in April later on Thursday, has positioned himself at the center of the diplomacy in Europe, burnishing his stature in France and abroad by becoming an interlocutor with Mr. Putin.

Twitter link with out paywall:
https://twitter.com/i/events/1483255084750282753

[JohnSJ]

1. Guess what President Macron, you didn't need a call with Putin to figure that one out

[Claustrum]

2. Exactly, that was clear from day 1 n/t

[Bettie]

3. Well, there is that

but I give him credit for continuing to run point on the diplomacy angle. No one can say the West didn't try.

I also wonder if the bluster is to hide the fact that it isn't going as planned, so he's verbally doubling down on it.

[SheltieLover]

4. No kidding!

Maybe stating the obvious for the covidiots.

He is after Ukraine's neon for chip mfg process!

[yorkster]

7. Read earlier on DU

that Putin called Macron. So, it appears the French are putting out details of the call.

[AlexSFCA]

5. Is Western Ukraine/Lviv will be next after Kyev?

There are still over 40M people in Ukraine.

[Tommy Carcetti]

9. If you think the Ukrainian pushback in Kyiv and Kharkiv is strong...

...wait until you see Lviv.

Western Ukraine is more hilly and mountainous so that terrain only further helps the home country.

[samsingh]

6. putin is brave with other people's lives. He's another example of what happens

when strongmen are in power

[roamer65]

8. Not with the sanctions he's under.

Not happening.