Edge's News: We are not at war with Russia - just Putin': French President Emmanuel Macron..Video

Emmanuel Macron held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone on Thursday in a bid to ease tensions between Russia and Ukraine. 

According to a French official, the pair spoke for 90 minutes, with Putin telling Macron that the conflict was "going according to plan." A source present described the tone of the phone call as "pessimistic" and "not-so-friendly." 

As Russia's invasion of Ukraine enters its second week, Kherson mayor Ihor Kolykhaev told NBC News Thursday that the city had been captured by Russian forces. After more than a full day of continuous shelling, hundreds are feared dead in the port of Mariupol, the deputy mayor said. Explosions have been reported in the capital Kyiv and heavy shelling in the country's second city, Kharkiv.

French President Emmanuel Macron tonight insisted that the world was ‘not at war with Russia or its people’, but only with Vladimir Putin.

In a hard-hitting national TV address on Wednesday evening, the head of state addressed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

‘There are no NATO troops or bases in Ukraine, and Russia has not been attacked,’ said Mr Macron, as multiple cities in Ukraine came under brutal attack.

Portraying Russian president Vladimir Putin as ‘the aggressor' while standing in front of the flags of France, Ukraine and the European Union, Mr Macron said: ‘This war is the fruit of a spirit of revenge born of a revisionist reading of the history of Europe.

‘Russian forces are besieging the most important Ukrainian cities. The days to come will probably be harder and harder. Hundreds of thousands of refugees are fleeing to neighbouring countries.’

Mr Macron held multiple meetings with Mr Putin, including one in Moscow, before Russia invaded Ukraine last Thursday.

Referring to the Ukrainian leader, Mr Macron said: ‘I address to President Volodymyr Zelensky the fraternal support of France.

‘This very afternoon, the United Nations General Assembly condemned, in an overwhelming vote, this aggression. 

'The international community has thus shown its unity.’ Confirming that ‘several hundred French soldiers had arrived in Romannia,’ Mr Macron highlighted the distinction between Russia and its leader.

‘We are not at war with Russia,’ said Mr Macron. ’We know what binds us to this great European people – that is to say the Russian people.’

Despite this, Mr Macron added: ‘I have chosen to stay in contact, and will stay in contact as much as I can and as much as necessary, with President Putin.’

Mr Macron said this was ‘to prevent the widening and contagion of the war. ‘These events are the signal of a change of era.

‘Democracy is being challenged before our eyes. Our freedom, that of our children, is no longer a given, it is a time to be courageous, a constant fight. ‘Our country will therefore increase investment in its defence.

‘We can no longer depend on others, especially Russian gas. I will defend a strategy of European energy independence.’

To this end, Mr Macron said he would be organising an EU summit next week at Versailles to discuss energy independence.