French President Emmanuel Macron, in his first telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin in almost three years, called for a swift ceasefire in Ukraine and the start of negotiations between the parties.
As reported by the Elysee Palace following the conversation, Macron reaffirmed France's unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also stressed the need to establish a ceasefire and achieve a long-term settlement to the conflict.
The Kremlin noted that the conversation took place on Tuesday and was "substantive." The leaders discussed the escalation in the Middle East and Russia's military intervention in Ukraine.
The leaders last spoke on September 11, 2022.