UNITED NATIONS, March 19. /TASS/. The UN believes that all countries must do everything they can to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine, Deputy Spokesman of the UN Secretary-General Farhan Haq said, commenting on media reports saying that France prepares a military contingent of about 2,000 troops to send to Ukraine.

"I have no way of confirming this information. So, I wouldn't have a specific comment on that. Our general comment is of course we have called for all nations to do what they can to de-escalate the situation on the ground," he said.

On Tuesday, Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Director Sergey Naryshkin said that Russia has information that France already prepares a military contingent to send to Ukraine; initially, this contingent will include about 2,000 troops. According to the SVR Director, the French military are concerned that it would be impossible to relocate such a numerous force to Ukraine and accommodate it there stealthily.

Previously, French President Emmanuel Macron did not rule out an option of sending ground troops to the special operation area. He also said that Western states "intend to do everything it takes" to prevent Russia from winning this conflict.