France's Macron, in call with UK's PM, says dialogue needed on Ukraine

FILE PHOTO: French President Emmanuel Macron addresses a plenary session of the European Parliament to present the programme of activities of the French Presidency as France currently holds the European Union rotating presidency, in Strasbourg, France, January 19, 2022. Bertrand Guay/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

PARIS (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the Ukraine crisis by phone with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and underlined the need "to maintain dialogue to de-escalate (the situation)," the French presidency said on Saturday.

Macron is due next week to visit Russia, which has massed troops near Ukraine, stoking Western fears of an invasion. Moscow denies planning to invade Ukraine.