Macron, Putin Discuss Iran, Ukraine in First Talks Since 2022

Leaders Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Putin on July 1 spoke by telephone for the first time in over 2½ years, with the French president urging a cease-fire in Ukraine but the Russian president hitting back by blaming the West for the conflict.

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One week after a ceasefire ended Israel's 12-day war with Iran, the two men also discussed Tehran's nuclear programme, with Mr Macron suggesting Moscow and Paris work together to de-escalate tensions.

Fighting still raged on the ground in Ukraine over three years after Russia's full-scale February 2022 invasion of its neighbour sparked the war, with efforts to agree a ceasefire at a standstill.

Ukrainian drones hit the Russian city of Izhevsk on July 1, killing three people and wounding dozens in one of the deepest strikes inside Russia of the conflict, the authorities said.

The telephone call lasted more than two hours and Mr Macron and Mr Putin agreed to hold more conversations on Ukraine and Iran in the future, the French presidency said.

Mr Macron emphasised France's unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for the establishment, as soon as possible, of a ceasefire and the launch of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia for a solid and lasting settlement of the conflict, said the Elysee Palace.

A Kremlin statement said Mr Putin reminded Mr Macron that the Ukrainian conflict is a direct consequence of the policy of Western states.

Mr Putin added that Western states had for many years ignored Russia's security interests and created an anti-Russian bridgehead in Ukraine.