Russian FM dismisses Macron’s plans to call Putin as "publicity stunt"

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has dismissed French President Emmanuel Macron’s statements about a possible conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin as a "publicity stunt."

Speaking at a press conference, Lavrov said Macron had repeatedly claimed he would contact Putin within a few weeks and noted that this was not the first time such statements had been made. He argued that serious discussions on issues of war and peace should be conducted through proper diplomatic channels rather than announced publicly, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media. 

Lavrov said that when leaders publicly declare in advance that they intend to speak with Putin and “offer something,” it does not look serious and amounts to what he described as "microphone" or "megaphone diplomacy," which, in his view, has never produced positive results.

Earlier, on January 6, Macron said he intended to hold talks with Putin as soon as possible. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow would announce it if it received any concrete proposals for dialogue between the Russian and French leaders.

By Sabina Mammadli