French President Macron and Russian leader Putin hold a telephone conversation.
In a significant development, French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin held their first phone conversation in over two and a half years on June 1st, 2025. The focus of the discussion was primarily on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and Russia's territorial claims in the Eastern European nation.
The conversation marked a crucial milestone, as it was the first since the escalation of the Ukraine war, which refers to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, particularly in the eastern regions of Luhansk and Donetsk. During the call, Putin reaffirmed Russia's territorial claims in Ukraine, emphasising the need to address the causes of the conflict in Kyiv.
Russia's territorial claim in Ukraine as of mid-2025 encompasses about 19% of Ukrainian land, including Crimea and parts of Donbas, with recent incremental gains in eastern regions. This aligns with ongoing Russian military control despite contested status and Ukrainian efforts to reclaim territory.
Since the invasion began on February 24, 2022, Russia has gained approximately 12% of Ukraine, about half the size of New York state, in areas contested or seized during ongoing operations. The annexation of Crimea in 2014 was a controversial move that was widely condemned by the international community.
Putin's demands for the annexation of additional Ukrainian regions and the creation of a "buffer zone" contradict Macron's push for diplomacy and peace. The proposed "buffer zone" would bring more Ukrainian territories under Moscow's control, potentially further escalating the conflict and leading to more violence and instability in the region.
Macron, on the other hand, emphasised the need for a diplomatic solution regarding Iran, aiming for a lasting resolution on nuclear issues, Iran's missiles, and its regional role. The conversation between the two leaders concluded with an agreement to coordinate their efforts and hold further discussions soon.
The Kremlin confirmed the phone call between Macron and Putin, and the international community is closely watching the developments in the Ukraine crisis, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
The Commission, in the midst of this escalating crisis, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionising radiation, given the potential increase in nuclear activities and tensions in the region.
Amidst the politics surrounding the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, general news outlets are furthering discussions about the safety measures necessary for those potentially affected by ionising radiation.
