Macron and Putin reopen dialogue after three-year silence to discuss Middle East crisis and Ukraine war
TOI World Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jul 03, 2025, 00:36 IST
( Image credit : AP, TOIGLOBAL )
In a significant diplomatic shift, French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in a two-hour phone call, their first in over three years, addressing the Ukraine conflict and tensions in the Middle East. Macron urged for a ceasefire and negotiations in Ukraine, while Putin blamed Western interference.
In a rare and unexpected development, French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin held their first phone conversation in more than three years on Tuesday, July 1, reigniting diplomatic engagement between the two leaders amid escalating global tensions.
The two-hour call marked a significant shift following years of silence and increasing hostility between Paris and Moscow. Macron initiated the conversation, using the opportunity to address two of the most urgent issues on the global stage: the fallout from the Israel-Iran conflict and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
According to the French presidency, Macron urged Putin to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine and to begin negotiations aimed at a durable and comprehensive peace. He reaffirmed France’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for immediate diplomatic engagement to end hostilities.
Putin, however, reiterated his stance that the conflict in Ukraine is the direct result of Western interference. According to a statement from the Kremlin, the Russian president blamed Western nations for ignoring Russia’s security concerns and for turning Ukraine into what he called “an anti-Russian bridgehead.” He insisted that any peace agreement must take into account the “new territorial realities” and address what he described as the root causes of the crisis.
The call came just weeks after Macron made headlines for proposing to extend France’s nuclear deterrence to cover all of Europe. In a high-profile speech in March, he had labeled Moscow a threat and warned that “to watch and do nothing would be madness.” He emphasized the need for a European defense posture that is not dependent on either Washington or Moscow, declaring the post-Cold War era of European innocence to be “over.”
During the phone call, Macron also raised concerns over Iran’s nuclear program and suggested that France and Russia cooperate to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East, particularly following the recent 12-day war between Israel and Iran. The French leader reportedly emphasized the need for global cooperation to prevent further destabilization in the region.
Macron had previously cut ties with Putin following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and allegations of war crimes committed by Russian forces. Their last communication occurred in September 2022, when they discussed the volatile situation surrounding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine.
In the early days of the war, Macron had attempted to mediate between Kyiv and Moscow, engaging in several phone calls with Putin. However, relations soured as Russia’s military campaign intensified. The French president later said he had severed contact with Putin due to Russia’s actions on the battlefield.
His recent decision to re-engage with the Kremlin came in the wake of his February 2025 meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, during which he hinted at a “new context” for dialogue with Russia, citing changes in the U.S. administration and the evolving international landscape.
Before speaking with Putin, Macron informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of his intention to initiate the call and updated him afterward, although the French government did not disclose details of that conversation.
Both Paris and Moscow have confirmed that Macron and Putin agreed to continue discussions in the future, particularly on issues related to Ukraine and Iran. Whether this renewed diplomatic channel can lead to substantive progress remains uncertain, but it marks a notable return to dialogue between two of Europe’s most powerful leaders at a time of mounting global instability.
The two-hour call marked a significant shift following years of silence and increasing hostility between Paris and Moscow. Macron initiated the conversation, using the opportunity to address two of the most urgent issues on the global stage: the fallout from the Israel-Iran conflict and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
According to the French presidency, Macron urged Putin to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine and to begin negotiations aimed at a durable and comprehensive peace. He reaffirmed France’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for immediate diplomatic engagement to end hostilities.
Putin, however, reiterated his stance that the conflict in Ukraine is the direct result of Western interference. According to a statement from the Kremlin, the Russian president blamed Western nations for ignoring Russia’s security concerns and for turning Ukraine into what he called “an anti-Russian bridgehead.” He insisted that any peace agreement must take into account the “new territorial realities” and address what he described as the root causes of the crisis.
The call came just weeks after Macron made headlines for proposing to extend France’s nuclear deterrence to cover all of Europe. In a high-profile speech in March, he had labeled Moscow a threat and warned that “to watch and do nothing would be madness.” He emphasized the need for a European defense posture that is not dependent on either Washington or Moscow, declaring the post-Cold War era of European innocence to be “over.”
During the phone call, Macron also raised concerns over Iran’s nuclear program and suggested that France and Russia cooperate to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East, particularly following the recent 12-day war between Israel and Iran. The French leader reportedly emphasized the need for global cooperation to prevent further destabilization in the region.
Macron had previously cut ties with Putin following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and allegations of war crimes committed by Russian forces. Their last communication occurred in September 2022, when they discussed the volatile situation surrounding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine.
In the early days of the war, Macron had attempted to mediate between Kyiv and Moscow, engaging in several phone calls with Putin. However, relations soured as Russia’s military campaign intensified. The French president later said he had severed contact with Putin due to Russia’s actions on the battlefield.
His recent decision to re-engage with the Kremlin came in the wake of his February 2025 meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, during which he hinted at a “new context” for dialogue with Russia, citing changes in the U.S. administration and the evolving international landscape.
Before speaking with Putin, Macron informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of his intention to initiate the call and updated him afterward, although the French government did not disclose details of that conversation.
Both Paris and Moscow have confirmed that Macron and Putin agreed to continue discussions in the future, particularly on issues related to Ukraine and Iran. Whether this renewed diplomatic channel can lead to substantive progress remains uncertain, but it marks a notable return to dialogue between two of Europe’s most powerful leaders at a time of mounting global instability.