In a significant diplomatic move, French President Emmanuel Macron held his first phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin in nearly three years, focusing primarily on nuclear non-proliferation in the wake of recent Israeli and US strikes against Iran. The conversation, which Macron deemed “important for France,” underscored the shared responsibility of both nations as permanent members of the UN Security Council to maintain stability and uphold the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
Macron expressed his concerns over Iran’s nuclear program, emphasizing the need for an agreement to preserve the NPT. He stated, “I called him first on the Iranian issue and the necessity of maintaining the non-proliferation treaty. It was very important to reach an agreement, because France also bears responsibility for ensuring stability.” The French president’s comments came after Tehran suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) following a series of bombings on its nuclear and strategic sites. Iran has accused the IAEA of failing to condemn the attacks and alleged that the agency colluded with its adversaries by passing on the identities of nuclear scientists to Israel.
During the call, both Putin and Macron agreed on the importance of respecting Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy while fulfilling its obligations under the non-proliferation treaty. They also concurred on the need for continued diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation in the Middle East. However, Macron reported no progress on the Ukraine conflict, echoing sentiments expressed by US President Donald Trump after his own call with Putin. Macron emphasized that a ceasefire must be established before negotiations can resume, and that Western sanctions are essential in applying pressure.
The Kremlin reiterated Russia’s stance that the Ukraine conflict stems from years of Western disregard for its security concerns. Putin maintained that any settlement must be comprehensive, long-term, and address the root causes of the crisis, taking into account the new territorial realities. Russia and Ukraine have resumed talks hosted by Türkiye after nearly three years without direct diplomatic contact, following Kiev’s withdrawal of its demand for an unconditional ceasefire as a precondition for negotiations. Macron’s outreach marks a shift in his stance on the conflict, as he has recently proposed that the EU consider a broader dialogue on regional security that includes Russia as part of a potential peace framework.
