Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by telephone on Tuesday, marking their first conversation in nearly three years, according to the Kremlin.
The two leaders discussed the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, with both sides emphasising the need for diplomacy and further contact.
The Kremlin said the call was the first since September 2022. During the discussion, Putin reportedly blamed the Ukraine conflict on Western nations, arguing that their long-standing dismissal of Russia’s security concerns and support for Kiev created an “anti-Russian bridgehead.”
Putin restated Moscow’s position that any future resolution to the Ukraine crisis must be comprehensive, long-term, and based on what he described as “new territorial realities.”
He also insisted that a peace settlement should address the root causes of the conflict, a stance Russia has maintained since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Turning to the Middle East, the two leaders discussed the recent escalation between Israel and Iran.
The Kremlin said both Putin and Macron agreed that diplomacy should be prioritised to avoid further regional destabilisation. They also expressed willingness to continue communication in the interest of coordinating their positions on key global issues.
The two presidents acknowledged their countries’ “special responsibility” in maintaining global peace and security. They also reaffirmed the importance of upholding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.
“In this regard, the importance of respecting Tehran’s legitimate right to develop peaceful nuclear energy and continuing to fulfil its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, including cooperation with the IAEA, was emphasised,” the Kremlin said.
France has been a major supporter of Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict, committing over €3.7 billion ($4.1 billion) in military aid, according to the Kiel Institute.
Macron had previously proposed sending French troops to Ukraine, though the idea never materialised. Paris later clarified that soldiers could potentially be deployed post-conflict to deter future aggression.
Despite his early hawkish stance, Macron has recently signalled a shift in tone. In May, he admitted that France had “done the maximum we could” in terms of military support to Ukraine and could no longer provide further weapons.
Last week, the French leader remarked that NATO’s European members do not wish to “endlessly” rearm and should begin considering ways to re-engage in dialogue with Russia.
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