French President Emmanuel Macron says he will still consider talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin if it “helps create a lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia.”
Sky News notes that Macron and Putin had a good working relationship before the Russian invasion in February 2022, but that it deteriorated as the conflict continued.
Speaking in Brussels after an EU summit at which European leaders decided to open accession talks with Ukraine, Emmanuel Macron said he remained open to dialogue with Vladimir Putin to find a peaceful solution if the Russian leader approached him.
“I did not start a war unilaterally, violating the treaties I joined. And it was not France that decided to commit war crimes in the north of Ukraine, making (peace) negotiations virtually impossible,” the French president said.
He added: “If President Putin wants to have a dialogue and make serious proposals to move forward and exit the conflict and build a lasting peace, that is, a peace that respects international law and therefore the interests and sovereignty of Ukraine, I will answer the phone.”
During a press conference on Thursday, a French journalist asked Vladimir Putin about his views on France and Emmanuel Macron.
The head of the Kremlin replied: “At some point, the French president terminated relations with us. We didn’t, I didn’t. He did it. If there is interest, we are ready (for discussions). If not, we will manage.”
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Source: Hot News
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