INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
French President Emmanuel Macron urged Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to agree a ceasefire in Ukraine as quickly as possible as
the 2 held their first known phone talks in over 2.5 years, the Elysee said.The Kremlin confirmed the discussion, saying that Putin blamed
the West for the dispute and stated any peace deal need to be long-term
The talks lasted for more than two hours, and the 2 consented to hold more talks on Ukraine and Iran in the future, the French presidency
said.Macron stressed Frances steady assistance for Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity and required the facility, as soon as
possible, of a ceasefire and the launch of settlements in between Ukraine and Russia for a strong and lasting settlement of the conflict,
Elysee Palace stated in a statement.A Kremlin declaration said Putin advised [Macron] that the Ukrainian conflict is a direct consequence
of the policy of Western states
Putin added that Western states had for several years overlooked Russias security interests and produced an anti-Russian bridgehead in
The Kremlin stated Putin informed the French president that any peace deal should be comprehensive and long-lasting, offer the removal of
the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis and be based upon new territorial realities
On Iran, the 2 presidents decided to coordinate their efforts and to speak quickly in order to follow up together on this problem, the
French statement added.The talks followed a ceasefire recently ended a 12-day air war that started after Israel released attacks on Iran
Macron has previously prompted Iran to alleviate stress by transferring to zero enrichment of uranium in its nuclear program.Macron
emphasized the immediate need for Iran to adhere to its responsibilities under the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty, in particular by
cooperating totally with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), whose inspectors must have the ability to resume their work without
hold-up, the statement said
He expressed his determination to look for a diplomatic service that would allow for a lasting and requiring settlement of the nuclear
concern, the concern of Irans rockets and its role in the area
The French leader attempted in a series of phone calls in 2022 to caution Putin against attacking Ukraine and took a trip to Moscow early
that year.He kept in contact with Putin after the intrusion, but talks then ceased, with the last call in between the presidents taking
Macron has actually gradually toughened his position on Russia, saying its expansionism threatens all of Europe.The French president has
actually likewise declined to dismiss putting troops on the ground in Ukraine.In April 2024, Russias then-Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and
French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu, a close confidant of Macron, held talks concentrated on security in the run-up to the Olympic Games in
Paris.That was the last official high-level contact in between the two nations.
