Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone, according to the Élysée, in a renewed push by France to reach a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Macron “emphasized France’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” according to his office, while the Kremlin released a statement detailing that Putin reminded his French counterpart that the war “is a direct consequence of the policy of Western states.”
The West, according to Putin’s released comments, had “for many years ignored Russia’s security interests” and “created an anti-Russian bridgehead in Ukraine.”
The Kremlin further reported that Putin made clear to Macron that any peace deal should be “comprehensive and long-term, provide for the elimination of the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis and be based on new territorial realities.”
During his call with Putin, the French president also pushed for a diplomatic solution with Iran, while insisting that the country abide by the UN’s Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Putin’s message to Macron was that Iran has the “right” to develop a “peaceful” nuclear program, according to France24.
Macron had informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that he would be speaking with Putin and reportedly also held a call with him afterward.
Meanwhile, the White House announced yesterday that it has decided to halt some arms deliveries to Ukraine, including air defense missiles, “to put America’s interests first.”
The United States stated that it was running low on critical military equipment it needs for its own defense.
Macron and Putin had not spoken since September 2022.
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