French President Emmanuel Macron said it was vital not to humiliate Russia so that a diplomatic solution could be found after hostilities in Ukraine ceased, adding that he believed Paris would play a mediating role to end the conflict, Reuters reported.

The French president's stance has been repeatedly criticized by some Eastern and Baltic partners in Europe because they say it undermines efforts to put pressure on Putin at the negotiating table.

Macron has been in regular contact with Putin since the invasion as part of efforts to broker a ceasefire and start credible negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow.