In a meeting with his French counterpart, Russia's chief of staff General Valery Gerasimov said French troops were invited to march through Red Square together with Russians to mark the end of the war in Europe, the defence ministry said.

French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to attend the large-scale celebrations on May 9, the day the Russians commemorate the defeat of the Nazis in what they call the Great Patriotic War.

US President Donald Trump has indicated he is also interested in coming.

The invitation for French troops comes as Macron is seeking a policy of dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin even on the most contentious issues, a stance that has raised eyebrows among some EU counterparts.

"We deeply respect the memory of the French soldiers, who together with the Red Army, battled against the common enemy and will be happy to see a French contingent among participants of the Victory Parade in Red Square on May 9," Gerasimov told France's top general Francois Lecointre.

He said "direct and open" dialogue with France was important, especially in the run-up to the commemorations, the defence ministry said.

At his meeting with Lecointre, Gerasimov also said Moscow was concerned about NATO's increasing military presence near the Russian borders, highlighting the bloc's upcoming drills.

"There are a number of issues causing serious concern," Gerasimov was quoted as saying.

He said NATO's drills will use an "anti-Russia scenario" and will practise "offensive operations."

In the absence of dialogue, such events are of "clearly provocative nature," Gerasimov added.

Lecointre for his part said the purpose of his visit was to "reach mutual understanding" when it comes to estimates of crisis situations, the Russian defence ministry said.

About 37,000 soldiers from 18 countries are to participate in the US-run manoeuvre dubbed Defender Europe 2020. The exercise will take place in May and June, mainly in Germany, Poland and the Baltic States.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has insisted that the military exercise was not aimed at Russia.