French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that there is no urgency to start dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between European countries.

"It's not a matter of days, we are preparing things. I think now we need to work on what we want to ask for," he said.

Macron announced in December that he wanted to resume direct exchanges with his Russian counterpart, which had been largely interrupted due to the war in Ukraine, and in early February he sent his diplomatic adviser to Moscow to prepare them.

"This discussion with Vladimir Putin must be prepared among Europeans so that, at the right moment, we are ready. And what do we want? We want security guarantees for Ukraine, but we also want something for Europeans," Macron added.