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Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron held a phone conversation today. It marks their first direct exchange since September 2022. According to the Kremlin, the discussion focused on the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict and the war in Ukraine. The two-hour call, initiated by Macron, comes at a time of heightened global tensions, with the French leader urging a ceasefire in Ukraine and the beginning of peace negotiations.

The conversation further addressed concerns over Iran’s nuclear program. The Kremlin stated that Putin emphasized Iran’s right to the peaceful development of nuclear energy and the importance of its adherence to the nuclear nonproliferation treaty. In contrast, Macron’s office highlighted the urgency of full Iranian cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), citing the seriousness of the nuclear threat.

Macron spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy before and after the call to brief him on the discussions, underlining France’s continued engagement with Kyiv.

The French president also consulted with U.S. President Donald Trump following the exchange, signaling an effort to coordinate diplomatic strategies among key international players.