In a significant turn of events, Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron spoke for the first time on the phone since September 2022, the Kremlin said. The telephonic conversation, which took place on Tuesday, was focused on the ongoing Middle East tensions and the Ukraine conflict. According to RT, during the exchange, Putin told Macron that the Ukrainian conflict was a direct outcome of Western states’ policies.
Putin accused the Western nations of disregarding Russia’s security interests for years. Additionally, during Tuesday’s call, which lasted for over two hours, the Russian President reiterated that any possible peace agreement must be “comprehensive and long-term.” He also stressed that any settlement should be based on ‘new territorial realities.’ Macron and Putin further discussed the recent tensions between Israel and Iran.
According to the Kremlin’s press service, both world leaders expressed their desire for a diplomatic solution moving forward and vowed to keep in contact for the ‘possible coordination of positions. “In this regard, the importance of respecting Tehran’s legitimate right to develop peaceful nuclear energy and continuing to fulfil its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, including cooperation with the IAEA, was emphasised,” the Kremlin said, according to RT.
France has been Kyiv’s key supporter since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Reports revealed that the Elysee had provided EUR3.7 billion to the war-torn country since 20222. However, President Emmanuel Macron’s recent remarks indicate a significant shift in France’s position. Back in May, he said that they had done the maximum that they could and would no longer be able to supply additional weapons to Kyiv.
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