By Michel Rose

MOSCOW (Reuters), Emmanuel Macron, the French president, flew to Moscow Monday to seek Russian President Vladimir Putin’s commitments to reduce tensions with Ukraine. Western leaders are concerned that Putin plans to invade.

Macron made several phone calls over the past week with his Western allies, Putin, and the Ukrainian leader. The Russian leader will then follow up Tuesday by a trip to Kyiv. He is putting a lot of effort into a task that could endanger his reputation if it ends in defeat.

According to Reuters, a source close Macron claimed that “we’re headed to Putin’s lair. In many aspects it’s a throw-of the dice.”

Russia mobilized around 100,000 troops in Ukraine. They demanded NATO security guarantees and U.S. assurances, such as that NATO would never accept Ukraine into its ranks.

According to two sources, Macron’s visit had one purpose: to freeze Europe for several months until an “Super April” in elections. This would have been in Hungary, Slovenia, and most importantly for Macron in France.

Over the last five years, both French President has attempted to persuade and confront Putin. Both his attempts have led to close dialog with the Russian leader and setbacks.

Macron laid the red carpet at Versailles Palace for Putin soon after his election. However, he also took the time to decry Russian meddling in the elections. The pair met two years later at the summer home of the French president.

Macron’s overtures were not enough to stop Russia from encroaching into French traditional spheres, which culminated late last year in the arrival of Russian military personnel in Mali. French officials believe they are being supported by Russia.

Eastern European nations that suffered under Soviet rule for decades have criticised Macron’s cooperation with Russia. They are also wary of Macron’s talks of creating a new European security order.

Macron sought to counter criticisms before the trip, and assume the role of European leader in the crisis. He also tried to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden and Boris Johnson of Britain.

Three months prior to the French presidential visit, Macron’s trip to Moscow and Ukraine is less than three months away from a domestic election. Although Macron is yet to declare whether or not he will be running, his political advisors believe that Macron’s visit to Russia and Ukraine could provide an electoral dividend.

The president sees it as an opportunity to prove his leadership within Europe. One French source claimed that he was above all the chaos.