Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron discussed Thursday the ongoing tensions over Ukraine and Moscow's demand for security guarantees in their third phone call in a week, the Kremlin said.

Moscow said the two presidents discussed "the situation around Ukraine" and Russia's demand for "long-term" security guarantees, mentioning that Putin "again, drew attention to the provocative statements and actions of the Kyiv leadership."

According to the Kremlin, both sides agreed "to maintain personal contact."

Macron discusses crisis with Zelensky

Similarly, Macron also discussed by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky the Ukraine crisis, in addition to enhancing financial and economic cooperation between the two countries.

"Continued dialogue with Emmanuel Macron on countering security challenges and stepping up the peace process within the Normandy format," Zelensky tweeted after the phone call, referring to talks involving Russia, Ukraine, France, and Germany.

Continued dialogue with @EmmanuelMacron on countering security challenges and stepping up the peace process within the Normandy format. Agreed on further joint steps to maintain Ukraine's stability and enhance financial and economic cooperation. pic.twitter.com/IFSNccIQUm

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 3, 2022

Earlier, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian claimed that Russia was capable of escalating the situation on the border with Ukraine, announcing that efforts were being made to "urge" Putin for dialogue regarding the situation

The French minister considered that the dialogue on the situation in Ukraine is difficult, but it must happen.

It is noteworthy that Macron and US President Joe Biden pledged Wednesday to coordinate their response to the Russian military build-up at the Ukrainian border.

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that a face-to-face meeting between Putin and Macron may take place soon.

Tensions over Ukraine come as the West and NATO accuse Moscow of planning to invade Ukraine, alleging that the Kremlin has amassed 100,000 soldiers along Ukraine's borders.

Kyiv and Moscow have denied the western fearmongering, saying there was no such invasion anywhere on their radars.

Moscow has been demanding a written commitment that Ukraine would never be able to join NATO and that the alliance would not place any strategic military equipment in certain countries in the region surrounding Russia.