MOSCOW (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said several proposals put forward by his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron at talks on Monday (Feb 7) could form a basis for moving forward on the crisis over Ukraine.

"A number of his ideas, proposals... are possible as a basis for further steps," Mr Putin said after more than five hours of talks with Mr Macron in the Kremlin. 

He added: “We will do everything to find compromises that suit everyone."

He did not provide any details but said the two leaders would speak by phone after Mr Macron meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday.

Mr Putin said he was grateful to Mr Macron for his efforts to solve the security crisis.

"I would like to thank Mr Macron for the efforts France is making to resolve the acute issue of our relations with Nato, to create an environment of stability on the European continent, to resolve the crisis in south-eastern Ukraine," Mr Putin said.

The Russian President denied his country was acting aggressively towards Ukraine or the West.

"It is not us who are moving towards Nato's borders," he said.

If Ukraine joins the Western military bloc, Russia could get sucked into conflict with European countries, he added.

"Do you want France to go to war with Russia?" Mr Putin said.

The Russian leader said the Ukrainian authorities were to blame for the continued conflict in the country's east.

"Kyiv still rejects every opportunity for a peaceful restoration of its territorial integrity," Mr Putin said.

Mr Macron flew to Moscow at the start of a week of intense Western diplomacy aimed at easing fears of a Russian invasion of its pro-Western neighbour.

With tens of thousands of Russian troops camped near the Ukrainian border, Mr Macron was the first top Western leader to meet Mr Putin since the crisis began in December.