Europe must agree internally before any talks with Putin, Macron says

European countries must first align on their own priorities and objectives before any renewed dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin can take place, French President Emmanuel Macron said on February 12 following an informal summit in Belgium.

Speaking after the meeting, Macron stressed that there was no immediate urgency to reopen direct discussions with the Russian leader. He said preparations were under way but emphasised that Europeans needed to clarify among themselves what they expected from potential talks with Moscow, Caliber.Az reports per French media. 

According to the French president, any future exchange with Vladimir Putin must be carefully coordinated at the European level to ensure leaders are ready at the appropriate moment. He underscored that the process was not a matter of days, but one of thorough preparation and internal consultation.

Macron said Europeans needed to define both the security guarantees they seek for Ukraine and the broader objectives they want to achieve for the continent. These include issues related to Europe’s prosperity, its future political direction, and the overall security architecture of the region.

The French leader had announced in December his intention to resume direct exchanges with Putin, which have largely been suspended since the start of the war in Ukraine. In early February, he sent his diplomatic adviser to Moscow to lay the groundwork for possible talks.

Earlier, on February 10, Macron stated the need to restart dialogue with the Russian president but insisted it must be well organised in coordination with European partners and without involving too many interlocutors.