Macron, Stoltenberg agree to continue coordination on Ukraine

PARIS. June 21 (Interfax) - French President Emmanuel Macron and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met in Paris on Tuesday to discuss, among other things, Russia's special operation in Ukraine, the Elysee Palace stated.

"They agreed to continue working to maintain a high level of consultations and coordination among allies [on Ukraine]," the statement said.

Macron informed Stoltenberg of his trip to Kyiv last week with the German chancellor, the Italian prime minister and the Romanian president.

The pair also touched on the topic of France's contribution in defense and deterrence on NATO's eastern flank, including in the framework of NATO's military presence in Romania, which Macron visited last week.

Today's meeting took place ahead of the NATO summit in Madrid due on June 28-30, the Elysee Palace said. The French side raised the possibility of the leaders discussing incorporating the European Union's defense strategy, Strategic Compass, into the new NATO concept.

Macron also expressed his wish to ask Turkey to clarify its position, and reaffirmed support for the Swedish and Finnish bids to join to NATO.