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Some EU states formally express concerns to France over Macron Russia comments

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The statements of French President Emmanuel Macron concerning Russia's security guarantees were criticized by the Baltic States and other European countries. They expressed their disapproval to France on Monday (12 December) and clarified their position, diplomats stated.

Macron said that Europe must prepare its future security architecture, and think about how to provide guarantees to Russia when it returns to the negotiating tables.

These comments were immediately rejected by the Baltic states and Ukraine. Although the French foreign ministry and the French presidency tried to minimize the situation, some people still feel the anger.

The Czech Republic is the EU Council's presidency. It helped to organize support for the formal diplomatic representation (also known as a "demarche").

Two diplomats stated that the demarche was supported by the Baltic states of Estonia and Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia. Reuters could not determine how many countries supported the move or whether it was supported by the Czechs.

Requests for comment from the French, Czech, and Slovak foreign ministers were not immediately returned. The Polish foreign ministry declined comment.

According to the three European diplomats, the Czech Republic distributed a draft demarche (also known as a non-paper) last week to EU members in their capitals. Diplomats stated that the paper was based on previous Russian attempts to weaken Europe's security architecture.

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The invasion of Russia in Ukraine on 24 February has been a catalyst for NATO member states and European countries to unite against Moscow. They have launched several rounds sanctions and provided substantial military assistance to Kyiv.

According to diplomats, the non-paper listed various aspects of co-operation with Russia. It included a 1997 NATO-Russsia agreement and proposals for December 2021, which included Russian guarantees.

Two diplomats stated that the Czechs along with representatives from other member states delivered the finalized demarche Monday to the Director of Continental Europe at the French foreign ministry.

A French presidency official spoke to reporters Friday and said that Macron's comments were not new. He also said that they were in line the Ukraine's statements that there would be negotiations at the end.

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