Putin and Macron hold first phone talk in three years

Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken with French President Emmanuel Macron over the phone o July 1, the Kremlin press service said.

Putin and Macron spoke over the phone for the first time in near three years. The last such conversation took place on September 11, 2022.

Special attention was also given to the situation in the Middle East in the context of Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran.

The presidents emphasized the special responsibility of Russia and France, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, for maintaining peace, including in the Middle East.

"Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron underscored the special responsibility of Russia and France, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, in upholding peace and security, including in the Middle East, as well as in preserving the global nuclear non-proliferation regime," the Kremlin said.

Both presidents agreed that Iran’s legitimate right to a peaceful nuclear program should be respected.

The leaders emphasized the need for a political and diplomatic resolution to all contentious issues and agreed to maintain communication to coordinate their positions.

The Ukrainian settlement was discussed as well.

"The Russian president confirmed the fundamental approaches to possible peace agreements on Ukraine, the statement said, further arguing that it “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," the Kremlin said.