After practically three years of silence, Putin, Macron talk about Iran, Ukraine battle

Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron held a cellphone name on Tuesday, marking their first direct change since September 2022. Based on the Kremlin, the 2 leaders mentioned the continuing battle in Ukraine and tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program.

The Kremlin known as the dialog “substantial,” whereas Macron’s workplace in Paris confirmed the decision lasted two hours. It was initiated by the French president. Through the name, Macron pushed for a ceasefire in Ukraine and known as for contemporary negotiations to finish the battle, which has continued for greater than two years.

Macron reaffirmed France’s full help for Ukraine’s sovereignty and integrity. “The president emphasised France’s unwavering help for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the lyse Palace mentioned in a press release.

Nevertheless, Putin repeated his stance, saying the battle was “a direct consequence of the West’s coverage,” which had ignored Russia’s safety issues. The Kremlin additionally mentioned any future peace settlement ought to mirror “new territorial realities” — a reference to the areas of Ukraine that Russia claims to have annexed.

Putin has been saying that Ukraine should settle for Russia’s management over these territories as a part of any peace deal. In the meantime, France has maintained that solely Ukraine has the suitable to determine whether or not to make territorial concessions.

IRAN’S NUCLEAR PROGRAM IN FOCUS

The 2 additionally mentioned the rising tensions over Iran’s nuclear program. The priority elevated in current weeks after Iran’s parliament handed a invoice to droop cooperation with the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the Worldwide Atomic Power Company (IAEA), after joint US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear services.

Through the name, Putin mentioned Iran’s proper to peacefully develop nuclear power should be revered and Tehran ought to proceed assembly its obligations underneath the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

Whereas Macron known as on Iran to totally cooperate with the IAEA and expressed his concern about Iran’s ballistic missile program. “Macron expressed his willpower to hunt a diplomatic answer that may result in an enduring and rigorous decision of the nuclear difficulty, the query of Iran’s missiles, and its function within the area,” his workplace acknowledged.

Either side reportedly agreed to coordinate efforts to ease nuclear tensions and keep away from additional escalation.

Russia and France are everlasting members of the UN Safety Council. Macron and Putin had steadily spoken within the early months of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; in February 2022, Macron even visited Moscow. However their dialog had been quiet for practically three years.

– Ends