Putin, Macron discuss Iran, Ukraine in first phone call in nearly three years

According to the Kremlin press service, Putin says it is necessary to respect Iran's right to the peaceful development of nuclear energy

French President Emmanuel Macron talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a video conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, Jun 26, 2020. Michel Euler/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

Russian President Vladimir Putin had a "substantial" phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron on the Iran-Israel conflict and Ukraine, the Kremlin said on Tuesday, the first such exchange between the two leaders since Sept 2022.

In Paris, Macron's office said the call lasted two hours and that the French leader had called for a ceasefire in Ukraine and the start of negotiations on ending the conflict.

According to the Kremlin press service, Putin said it was necessary to respect Iran's right to the peaceful development of nuclear energy as well as its continued compliance with its obligations under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

The French president's office said Macron had also stressed the need for Iran to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Iran's parliament approved a bill last month to suspend cooperation with the IAEA, the UN's nuclear watchdog, after Israel and the United States bombed Iran's nuclear sites, aiming to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Iran has denied seeking one.

Macron "expressed his determination to seek a diplomatic solution that would lead to a lasting and rigorous resolution of the nuclear issue, the question of Iran's missiles, and its role in the region", his office said, adding that the two leaders had decided to coordinate their efforts.

France and Russia are both permanent members of the UN Security Council.

'NEW TERRITORIAL REALITIES'

On Ukraine, Putin reiterated his position to Macron that the war was "a direct consequence of the West's policy", which he said had "ignored Russia's security interests" over the past few years.

Any possible peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine should have a "comprehensive and long-term character" and be based on "new territorial realities," the Kremlin quoted Putin as saying.

Putin has previously said Ukraine must accept Russia's annexation of swathes of its territory as part of any peace deal.

Macron has said Ukraine alone should decide on whether or not to accept territorial concessions.

During Tuesday's call, Macron's office said, "the president emphasised France's unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity".

Macron and Putin aim to continue their discussions on Ukraine and Iran, the French president's office said.

Macron and Putin held regular discussions around the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with Macron visiting Putin in Russia in Feb 2022, but the dialogue eventually stalled.