Macron's planned visits come in response to growing tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Credit: AP Photo/Nicholas Garriga

France’s president Emmanuel Macron is planning a mediation trip on Monday to Moscow, and on Tuesday to Kyiv. This is a part of his push to de-escalate tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

Emmanuel Macron is not the only world leader to attempt to diffuse the tensions between the two countries. Earlier this week, Turkey’s president Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed his offer on hosting diplomatic talks with Ukraine and Russia on his visit to Kyiv.

The plan comes after the US alleged that Russia was plotting to fabricate an attack video led by Ukrainian forces in order to use as a pretext on its invasion.

Both the US State Department spokesperson Ned Price and Defence Department State Secretary John Kirby approved of the allegations. John Kirby added: “We have seen these kinds of activities from the Russians in the past”.

US President Joe Biden also warned of Russia spreading disinformation through state and social media.