Turn back to diplomacy, NATO, France tell Russia

French Defence Minister Florence Parly and Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian welcome NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg before a meeting in Paris, France December 10, 2021. Bertrand Guay/Pool via REUTERS

PARIS (Reuters) -The crisis in Ukraine can only be solved through diplomacy and Russia must do its utmost to reduce tensions, NATO and French officials said on Friday, warning of serious consequences if Moscow were to launch a military intervention in Ukraine.

Russia has amassed troops on its border with Ukraine, where Kremlin-backed rebels have been fighting the Kyiv government, raising fears that it might be preparing to invade.