The leaders opened the call with a focus on the war in Ukraine. Macron urged an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of peace negotiations, reaffirming France’s unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity . Putin countered, blaming Western policy for escalating the conflict and insisting any peace deal must reflect “new territorial realities,” referring to Russian gains .
They also discussed growing instability in the Middle East, particularly Iran’s nuclear program. Macron emphasized Iran must fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency, while Putin defended Iran’s right to develop peaceful nuclear energy under the Non-Proliferation Treaty . The Kremlin described the dialogue as “very substantive,” acknowledging that it would continue .
This telephone exchange broke a nearly three-year silence between the two leaders. According to the Kremlin, the last direct talk took place in September 2022—preceding Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine—and both governments confirmed the lengthy duration of over two hours .
Despite the conversational thaw, critics caution that the call may risk legitimizing Putin’s narrative without delivering tangible progress. Supporters, however, argue it signals a needed revival of European diplomacy amid geopolitical turbulence .
Tensions remained heightened in Ukraine even as diplomatic channels opened. Just days after the call, Russia launched its largest aerial attack on Kyiv to date, deploying 539 drones and 11 missiles, resulting in at least one death and dozens of injuries across the capital . The strike, seen as a bold statement, came mere hours after a separate phone call between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump—underscoring that communication had yet to affect battlefield dynamics .
