Russian, French presidents hold first phone talks since 2022, discuss Ukraine, Middle East tensions

Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron held their first telephone conversation since 2022, the Kremlin press service confirmed.

The high-level exchange, which lasted more than two hours, covered a wide range of pressing international issues, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and escalating tensions in the Middle East, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

During the call, President Putin reiterated Moscow’s long-standing position on the Ukraine conflict, asserting that the war is a “direct consequence of the policies of Western countries,” which, he claimed, “ignored Russia’s security interests” and contributed to the creation of an “anti-Russian foothold in Ukraine.” He further alleged that Western states are “prolonging the hostilities” by continuing to supply Kyiv with advanced weaponry.

Putin also emphasized his conditions for potential peace negotiations, stating that any agreement must be “comprehensive and long-term,” must “take into account the new territorial realities,” and must “address the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis.”

The two leaders also devoted considerable attention to the Middle East, focusing in particular on the Iran-Israel confrontation and recent US airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. The Kremlin underscored that both Russia and France, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, bear a “special responsibility” for maintaining international peace and security, especially in volatile regions such as the Middle East.

As part of the discussion, the Kremlin stressed the need to uphold the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. It highlighted the importance of recognizing Tehran’s “legitimate right to develop peaceful nuclear energy,” provided that Iran continues to meet its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), including full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The call marks the first direct communication between Macron and Putin since September 2022, several months after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 

By Vafa Guliyeva