France Welcomes Putin’s Readiness for Dialogue as Macron Calls for European Diplomatic Push

PARIS,- The French presidency on Sunday welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s stated readiness to engage in talks with President Emmanuel Macron, signaling a potential diplomatic opening after Macron called for Europe to re-engage with Moscow to help end the war in Ukraine.

“It is welcome that the Kremlin has publicly agreed to this approach. We will determine in the coming days the most appropriate way to proceed,” the Élysée Palace said in a statement. The announcement followed an interview published by Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti, in which Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Putin had “expressed readiness to engage in dialogue” with Macron.

The French leader had earlier in the week argued that Europe should not leave the United States to take the sole lead in diplomacy concerning Ukraine, insisting that European powers must also play a direct role in outreach to the Kremlin.

“The invasion of Ukraine and President Putin’s obstinacy ended any possibility of dialogue over the past three years,” the French presidency acknowledged. “However, as soon as the prospect of a ceasefire and peace negotiations becomes clearer, it once again becomes useful to talk to Putin.”

Transparency and Allied Coordination Stressed

At the same time, Paris emphasized that any discussions with Moscow would be conducted “in full transparency” with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European partners. The objective, it added, remains achieving a “solid and lasting peace” for Ukraine—a formulation that aligns with Kyiv’s insistence that any settlement must restore its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The cautious overture comes amid a flurry of diplomatic activity. This weekend, the United States is hosting a new round of negotiations in Florida aimed at brokering an end to the conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. The talks are being mediated by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, former President Donald Trump’s son-in-law. Envoys from Ukraine and European countries are meeting on one side, while Russian representative Kirill Dmitriev—who arrived on Saturday—participates separately.

Diverging Views on Format

While President Zelenskyy indicated that Washington had proposed a trilateral format that could bring Ukrainian and Russian officials together for the first direct talks in six months, the Kremlin publicly rejected the idea on Sunday. Peskov denied that three-way negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States were currently planned, underscoring the persistent gaps in how each side envisions the path to diplomacy.

European officials remain divided over engaging with Putin. Macron’s call for outreach has drawn both support and skepticism within the EU, with some member states cautioning that dialogue must not normalize aggression or undermine Ukraine’s negotiating position. France has sought to balance its diplomatic initiative with continued military and humanitarian support for Kyiv, framing talks as a complementary effort to battlefield dynamics and international sanctions.

Broader Diplomatic Landscape

The French move reflects a growing urgency in European capitals to explore all avenues to end a war that has inflicted severe economic and humanitarian costs across the continent. With U.S. attention increasingly divided by global crises and electoral politics, Macron has positioned France as a proactive mediator, advocating for a distinct European voice in security affairs.

Analysts suggest that while Putin’s willingness to talk may be tactical, it offers a window to test Moscow’s intentions. Any substantive dialogue, however, would require clear commitments on ceasefire terms and the involvement of Ukrainian leadership—conditions that have so far proven elusive.

As consultations continue, the French presidency said it would work closely with Germany, other EU partners, and Ukraine in the coming days to design a coordinated approach. The priority, officials reiterated, is a peace that guarantees Ukraine’s security and sovereignty, in line with the principles of the UN Charter.

 

 

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