French president Emmanuel Macron said on Friday he would still consider talking to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin if it helps create a sustainable peace between Ukraine and Russia.
Mr Macron and Mr Putin enjoyed a good working relationship before Russia invaded its neighbour in February 2022. In the weeks preceding the start of hostilities, Mr Macron’s diplomatic efforts failed to stop the war but he then kept open a line of communication with the Russian president for months.
Their diplomatic and personal links deteriorated badly as the war dragged on. Earlier this year, Mr Macron weighed the possibility of stripping Mr Putin of France’s highest medal of honour.
Mr Putin was asked on Thursday during his year-end news conference by a journalist from the French channel TF1 about his views on France and Mr Macron.
Mr Putin said: “At some point the French president stopped the relationship with us. We didn’t do it, I didn’t. He did. If there’s interest, we’re ready. If not, we’ll cope.”
Speaking in Brussels at the end of a summit where EU leaders decided to open membership negotiations with war-torn Ukraine, Mr Macron said he remained open to dialogue with Mr Putin on finding a peaceful solution if the Russian leader reaches out to him.
“I didn’t start the war unilaterally, breaking the treaties I’d agreed to. And it wasn’t France that decided to commit war crimes in the north of Ukraine, making discussions virtually impossible,” Mr Macron said. “Well, we have to be serious, so I have a very simple position. I haven’t changed my number.”
Mr Macron added that if Mr Putin shows a will to kickstart a dialogue that can build a lasting peace, France is ready to help.
“If President Putin has a willingness to engage in dialogue and serious proposals to move forward and emerge from the conflict and build a lasting peace, that is to say one that respects international law and, therefore, Ukrainian interests and sovereignty, I’ll take the call,” Mr Macron said.
Mr Putin said this week there would be no peace until Russia achieves its goals, which he says remain unchanged after nearly two years of fighting.
