NaijNaira
Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron held a two-hour phone call on Tuesday, their first direct conversation in nearly three years, NaijNaira can report.
The Kremlin described the exchange as “substantial,” with discussions focused on the war in Ukraine and escalating tensions involving Iran. Macron, according to Reuters, urged a ceasefire in Ukraine and renewed peace negotiations.
A French diplomatic source confirmed Macron also consulted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before and after speaking with Putin, and later updated U.S. President Donald Trump on the outcome.
Putin stressed Iran’s right to pursue peaceful nuclear development and called for continued adherence to the nuclear nonproliferation treaty.
Macron’s office, however, emphasized the need for Iran to fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency. He also argued that all five permanent UN Security Council members must be involved in resolving the nuclear issue.
Following Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Iran’s parliament recently approved a bill to halt cooperation with the IAEA. Tehran denies any intention to build nuclear weapons.
Macron expressed a firm push for diplomacy, stating his intent to reach a “lasting and rigorous” solution covering Iran’s nuclear program, missile activities, and regional conduct.
Regarding Ukraine, Putin repeated that the war stems from Western policies that neglected Russia’s security concerns. He added that any peace deal must reflect “new territorial realities.”
Macron firmly responded by reaffirming France’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial borders.
Both leaders agreed to continue future discussions on Ukraine and Iran.
