Emmanuel Macron has deemed it useful to resume dialogue with Vladimir Putin, after the latter expressed readiness to engage. The two leaders have not communicated directly since July, amid ongoing negotiations in Miami on ending the Ukraine war. The Élysée is preparing the modalities for such a discussion in the coming days.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Friday that "it will become useful again to talk to Vladimir Putin," following a European summit where the European Union approved a 90 billion euro loan to support Ukraine. This comes nearly six months after their last phone call on July 1, the first in three years. Vladimir Putin expressed readiness for "dialogue" with his French counterpart, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov, cited by RIA Novosti.
The Élysée described this openness as "welcome" and plans to decide "in the coming days" on the best way to proceed. This potential resumption occurs as talks continue in Miami between Ukrainian, American, and European delegations, hailed as "productive and constructive." The American and Ukrainian delegations issued a joint statement highlighting fruitful exchanges on ending the war, security guarantees, and reconstruction.
Relations between Paris and Moscow have deteriorated since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in spring 2022, poisoning an already difficult dialogue. Before the war, Macron sought to relaunch ties in 2017, in a Gaullist diplomacy blending openness and firmness, despite tensions over alleged election interference. The conflict led to strained exchanges, culminating in distant insults by late 2022.
Volodymyr Zelensky praised constructive discussions with the Americans while regretting negative signals from Moscow, such as frontline assaults and strikes on infrastructure. The Kremlin denied preparations for a trilateral U.S.-Ukraine-Russia meeting. These developments highlight diplomatic efforts for a resolution to the conflict, without decisive progress yet.
