Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call today with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, during which the two leaders discussed the latest developments in Ukraine and the escalating tensions in the Middle East, in the context of the Iran-Israel conflict and recent U.S. strikes on Iranian facilities, the Kremlin announced.
According to the official statement from the Russian presidency, Putin considers the war in Ukraine a direct result of Western policies.
“The Ukrainian conflict is a direct consequence of the policies of Western countries, which for years ignored Russia’s security interests, created an anti-Russian stronghold in Ukraine, and tolerated violations of the rights of Russian-speaking populations,” he stated, according to the Kremlin.
Putin emphasized that any potential solution must be comprehensive and address the root causes of the conflict, taking into account the current realities on the ground. He also criticized the West for its military support to Ukraine.
“Western countries are pursuing a policy of prolonging military operations by fueling the Kyiv regime with various modern weapons,” the Russian president declared, according to TASS news agency.
During the second part of the call, the leaders focused on the growing tensions in the Middle East, emphasizing the need for diplomatic solutions and respect for international law.
Both presidents stressed the importance of Iran’s right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, as well as the need for Tehran to comply with its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
