Putin, Macron discuss Mideast, Ukraine in first call since 2022
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a "substantive" phone call with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, to discuss the Middle East crisis, including Iran, and the conflict in Ukraine, the Kremlin announced on Tuesday.
This was their first direct exchange since September 2022, Reuters reported.
In Paris, the Élysée Palace stated the discussion lasted two hours. During the call, Macron called for a ceasefire in Ukraine and the start of negotiations to end the conflict.
According to the Kremlin, Putin asserted that Iran's right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes must be respected. He also emphasized that Tehran must adhere to its obligations under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
The Kremlin leader also reiterated Russia's stance to Macron: the war in Ukraine is a "direct consequence of Western policies" that allegedly "ignored Russia's security interests" in recent years.
Regarding a potential peace in Ukraine, Putin stressed it should be "comprehensive and lasting" and based on "new territorial realities" — a phrase referring to the territorial annexations claimed by Moscow. Putin had previously stated that Ukraine must accept these annexations as part of any peace agreement.
For his part, Emmanuel Macron underscored the necessity for Iran to comply with its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and to fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The two leaders agreed to coordinate their efforts and to resume dialogue in the near future, according to the statement issued by the Élysée Palace.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
