The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the possibility of peace, and broader international security issues, such as Iran’s nuclear program, were the topics of a rare and extensive phone chat between Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday. A major—albeit cautious—step in diplomatic engagement amid ongoing geopolitical tension, the two-hour call, confirmed by the Kremlin and Élysée Palace, was the first direct communication between the two leaders since September 2022.
Macron took advantage of the occasion, according to the French presidency, to call on Putin to accept an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and to begin talks with Kyiv that might result in what he called a “solid and lasting settlement” to the conflict. Macron reaffirmed France’s strong support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, which Paris has maintained ever since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The call’s timing is noteworthy. By cautioning European allies about the long-term dangers of Russian aggression and refusing to rule out the deployment of French troops to aid in Ukraine’s defense, Macron has recently adopted a tougher stance against Moscow. He has continuously underlined the value of maintaining open diplomatic channels in spite of that firm stance.
President Zelensky of Ukraine was notified beforehand of the scheduled call with Putin, according to the Élysée, and Macron had a follow-up conversation with him. Nevertheless, no further details regarding their subsequent conversation were disclosed to the public.
The Kremlin’s version of the call, on the other hand, presented a well-known story of resentment and guilt. The Russian side claims that Putin blamed Western countries for the war, saying they ignored Moscow’s long-standing security concerns and supported a “anti-Russian bridgehead” in Ukraine. He maintained that NATO expansion and Western containment strategies against Russia are to blame for the war, not just Russian aggression.
Putin further insisted that any future peace deal must be comprehensive and long-term, addressing what he described as the “root causes” of the crisis. He stressed that any resolution must also reflect the “new territorial realities”—a clear reference to the territories occupied and claimed by Russia since the beginning of the invasion, including Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine.
The two leaders agreed to maintain open lines of communication and stated their intention to speak again soon, despite the fact that they are obviously still at odds over the reasons behind and possible outcome of the war. Both sides seemed to recognize the value of direct communication in the midst of a grinding and stagnant conflict, though it is unclear whether this renewed contact marks a larger shift toward negotiation.
Other urgent international security concerns, particularly Iran’s nuclear program, were also discussed. Macron called for complete collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and voiced grave concerns regarding Tehran’s adherence to its commitments under the UN’s Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The French president made it clear that he wants to see a diplomatic solution that addresses Iran’s expanding missile capabilities, destabilizing regional behavior, and nuclear activities.
However, Iran has a right to pursue a peaceful nuclear program, according to the Kremlin. Putin’s remarks reaffirmed Russia’s long-standing stance that Iran’s nuclear aspirations should not be thwarted as long as they are non-military. However, given the high level of tensions around the world, the conversation seemed to show a common interest in halting further escalation in the Middle East.
The discussion on Tuesday follows a protracted period of quiet between Moscow and Paris. Early in 2022, Macron made several attempts to deter Putin from launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including a high-profile trip to Moscow a few weeks prior to Russian troops crossing the border.
Macron kept in touch with the Russian president for months after the invasion started in an attempt to sway his decisions, but as the conflict grew more intense and diplomatic options became more limited, those talks came to an end in the fall of 2022.
Macron has since repositioned himself as one of the most vocal European leaders regarding Russia, cautioning that Moscow’s actions pose a wider threat to the stability of the continent. He has urged greater European defense capabilities and cautioned against complacency in the face of ongoing Russian military aggression in recent months.
Prior to this week’s call, the two nations had not had high-level contact since April 2024, when French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who is regarded as a close ally of Macron, and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu held discussions aimed at securing the Paris Olympic Games. Even though it was small in scope, that exchange contributed to the two countries’ minimal communication channels remaining open.
Even though there are still fundamental differences, Macron and Putin’s renewed contact does not yet signify a breakthrough, but it might point to a gradual move toward reopening diplomatic channels. Peace is still a long way off, and the conflict in Ukraine is still going strong. However, the resumption of presidential-level talks provides a glimmer of hope in an otherwise firmly established impasse.
