Macron Calls Putin, Urges Ukraine Ceasefire and Renewed Diplomacy After Nearly Three-Year Silence
Paris, The Gulf Observer: In a significant diplomatic development, French President Emmanuel Macron held a two-hour telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, marking their first direct engagement since September 2022. The call, confirmed by the Élysée Palace, focused on the ongoing war in Ukraine and wider international concerns including Iran’s nuclear programme.
During the discussion, President Macron reiterated France’s steadfast support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He firmly called for the immediate establishment of a ceasefire and the commencement of negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow aimed at achieving a comprehensive and enduring resolution to the conflict.
“The French President emphasised the urgent need for a ceasefire and diplomatic negotiations to ensure a solid and lasting peace,” said a statement from Macron’s office. The communication followed prior consultation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and a follow-up discussion after the call, according to the Élysée.
In response, President Putin reportedly laid the blame for the conflict on Western policies. The Kremlin’s readout stated, “President Putin reminded [Macron] that the Ukrainian conflict is a direct consequence of the policy of Western states,” asserting that Russia’s security interests had long been ignored and that an “anti-Russian bridgehead” had been created in Ukraine.
Putin underscored that any prospective peace agreement must be “comprehensive and long-term,” address the “root causes” of the war, and be grounded in “new territorial realities.”
Beyond the Ukraine conflict, the two leaders also addressed concerns surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme. Macron reaffirmed France’s commitment to non-proliferation and called on Iran to fully adhere to its obligations under the UN’s Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He expressed determination to pursue a diplomatic resolution that encompasses the nuclear issue, Iran’s missile activities, and its regional posture.
According to the Kremlin, President Putin defended Iran’s right to develop a peaceful nuclear programme.
Both presidents agreed to maintain dialogue and explore avenues for coordinated efforts on shared concerns. “They agreed to remain in contact and to speak again soon,” the Élysée said.
A Complex Diplomatic History
Tuesday’s conversation marks the first high-level exchange between Macron and Putin in nearly three years. Macron had previously made intensive efforts in early 2022 to dissuade Putin from launching the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including a visit to Moscow. While he maintained intermittent communication in the months following the invasion, direct contact had ceased since September 2022.
Over the past year, Macron has adopted a more assertive stance towards Moscow, warning that Russian aggression poses a broader threat to European security. He has also notably refused to rule out the deployment of French troops to Ukraine under certain conditions.
The most recent official contact between the two countries before Tuesday’s call was in April 2024, when then-Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu held talks with French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu ahead of the Paris Olympic Games.
