Macron is really out on a limb here, with his credibility at stake. “The intensity of the dialogue we have had with Russia and this visit to Moscow are likely to prevent [a military operation] from happening. Then we will discuss the terms of de-escalation”
https://twitter.com/ulrichspeck/status/1490308144777646086
Macron: “We must protect our European brothers by proposing a new balance capable of preserving their sovereignty and peace. This must be done while respecting Russia and understanding the contemporary traumas of this great people and nation” politico.eu/article/emmanu…
For those who want the original. "L’intensité du dialogue que nous avons eu avec la Russie et cette visite à Moscou sont de nature à empêcher que cela n’advienne." lejdd.fr/International/… 
Macron: "It is in this spirit that I am also going to Moscow: to try to build responses to the crisis and to move towards a new order that our Europe deeply needs and which is based on the cardinal principle of the sovereign equality of states." lejdd.fr/International/…
"The Russians gave us signals so we have to jump on them... In a way we're calling their bluff," said a senior French official. "But whether we can get anything, nobody can predict. What it does is help to gain time and reduce these tensions." reuters.com/world/europe/f…
French officials clearly appreciate the risk Macron is taking. '"We're heading to Putin's lair, in many ways it's a throw of the dice," one source close to Macron told Reuters.' reuters.com/world/europe/f…
"French officials say they have learnt from previous errors of judgment to ensure EU/NATO allies are kept fully in the loop. The French presidency has been calling EU partners..ahead of Macron's trip but three EU diplos said the contacts lacked substance" reuters.com/world/europe/f…
Note @Decis_ on translation of that original quote.
https://twitter.com/decis_/status/1490330474576818180
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