Macron and Putin hold their initial conversation via phone call after a two-year hiatus
In a significant diplomatic development, French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin held their first phone conversation in over two and a half years on July 1, 2025. The conversation, which lasted over two hours, marked a notable reopening of dialogue between the two leaders.
During the call, President Macron urged President Putin to agree to an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and initiate negotiations aimed at a "solid and lasting settlement" of the conflict. He reiterated France's support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
President Putin, however, blamed Western policies for the ongoing conflict, citing the creation of an "anti-Russian bridgehead" in Ukraine and the neglect of Russia's security interests. He insisted that any peace deal must be "comprehensive and long-term," address the root causes of the crisis, and be based on "new territorial realities."
Regarding the Iranian nuclear program, both leaders stressed the importance of a diplomatic solution. President Macron emphasized Iran's need to comply with its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). President Putin acknowledged Tehran's legitimate right to peaceful nuclear technology, provided obligations under the treaty are met.
Both presidents agreed to maintain contact in the future to coordinate their positions on Ukraine and Iran. This development comes after several years without direct talks between the two leaders.
In the context of the Ukraine conflict, President Putin reiterated his territorial claims, demanding not only Crimea but also Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. His demands for a "buffer zone" in Ukraine's border region are a concern for Ukraine's sovereignty.
President Macron, on the other hand, emphasized the need for a diplomatic solution to the Iranian issue, aiming for a lasting resolution on nuclear matters, Iran's missiles, and its regional role. President Putin told President Macron that the causes of the conflict must be addressed in Kyiv and that the reality on the ground must be recognized.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine and Putin's continued aggressive stance towards Ukraine remain a significant geopolitical issue. The conflict, with Putin's latest demands suggesting a further expansion of Russian control over Ukrainian territory, continues to be a source of tension between Russia and Ukraine.
This latest conversation between the two leaders is a step towards resolving these critical international issues through diplomatic means. The Kremlin confirmed the call, stating that the Middle East and the situation in Ukraine were discussed. Both sides have pledged to continue contact on these matters.
- Amid the ongoing diplomatic efforts, the European Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, given the increasing concern over nuclear issues, as evidenced in the discussions between President Macron and President Putin regarding Ukraine and Iran.
- The war-and-conflicts section of general news outlets is likely to follow the phone conversation between Presidents Macron and Putin closely, considering the significance of their reopened dialogue and the unresolved geopolitical issues, particularly the conflict in Ukraine, which remains a focal point of international politics.
