Macron, Putin Discuss Iran, Ukraine In First Talks Since 2022
One week after a ceasefire ended Israel's 12-day war with Iran, the two men also discussed Tehran's nuclear programme, with Macron suggesting Moscow and Paris work together to de-escalate tensions.
Fighting still raged on the ground in Ukraine over three years after Russia's full-scale February 2022 invasion of its neighbour sparked the war, with efforts to agree a ceasefire at a standstill.
Ukrainian drones hit the Russian city of Izhevsk on Tuesday, killing three people and wounding dozens in one of the deepest strikes inside Russia of the conflict, authorities said.
The talks lasted for more than two hours and Macron and Putin agreed to hold more contacts on Ukraine and Iran in the future, the French presidency said.
Macron "emphasised France's unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity" and "called for the establishment, as soon as possible, of a ceasefire and the launch of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia for a solid and lasting settlement of the conflict", said the Elysee Palace.
A Kremlin statement said Putin reminded Macron that "the Ukrainian conflict is a direct consequence of the policy of Western states".
Putin added that Western states had "for many years ignored Russia's security interests" and "created an anti-Russian bridgehead in Ukraine".
The Kremlin said Putin told the French president that any peace deal should be "comprehensive and long-term, provide for the elimination of the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis and be based on new territorial realities."
On Iran, "the two presidents decided to coordinate their efforts and to speak soon in order to follow up together on this issue", the French presidency added.
Macron has previously urged Iran to ease tensions by moving to "zero enrichment" of uranium in its nuclear programme.
Russia, which like France is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has a cordial relationship with Iran's clerical leadership and has long urged a diplomatic solution to the standoff over the Iranian nuclear programme.
"He expressed his determination to seek a diplomatic solution that would allow for a lasting and demanding settlement of the nuclear issue, the question of Iran's missiles and its role in the region," the Elysee said.
The Kremlin said Putin emphasised "the lawful right of Tehran in developing a civilian" nuclear programme.
It said both presidents agreed that the conflict over Iran's nuclear programme and other Middle Eastern conflicts should be solved "exclusively" by diplomatic means and that the two leaders would "continue contacts" on this.
The French leader tried in a series of phone calls in 2022 to warn Putin against invading Ukraine and travelled to Moscow early that year.
He kept up phone contact with Putin after the invasion but talks then ceased, with the last call between the presidents dating back to September 2022.
Macron has over the last year toughened his line against Russia, saying its expansionism is a threat to all of Europe.
In April 2024, Russia's then defence minister Sergei Shoigu and French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu, a close confidant of Macron, held talks focused on security in the run-up to the Olympic Games in Paris.
That was the last official high-level contact between the two countries.
Izhevsk, more than 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from the front line, has arms production facilities including factories that make attack drones and the Kalashnikov rifle.
A Ukraine security services source said Kyiv had targeted an Izhevsk-based drone manufacturer and that the attack had disrupted Moscow's "offensive potential".
Russian forces in turn struck the town of Guliaipole in Ukraine's central Dnipropetrovsk region, causing "casualties and fatalities", Ukraine's southern defence forces said, without specifying numbers.
Macron's call with Putin comes as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have stalled in recent weeks.
Pressed by US President Donald Trump to find a solution, the two sides held direct talks almost a month ago but Moscow has since stepped up deadly strikes on Ukraine.
Moscow's army has ravaged parts of east and south Ukraine while seizing large swathes of territory.
An AFP analysis published Tuesday found that Russia dramatically ramped up aerial attacks in June, firing thousands of drones to pressure the war-torn country's stretched air defence systems and exhausted civilian population.
Moreover, in June, Moscow made its biggest territorial gain since November while accelerating advances for a third consecutive month, according to another AFP analysis based on data from US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Israel fought a 12-day war with Iran over the Islamic republic's nuclear ambitions AFP Fighting is still raging between Russia and Ukraine after more than three years AFP
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Int'l Business Times
8 hours ago
- Int'l Business Times
Macron, Putin Discuss Iran, Ukraine In First Talks Since 2022
Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Putin on Tuesday spoke by telephone for the first time in over two-and-a-half years, with the French president urging a ceasefire in Ukraine but the Russian leader hitting back that the West was to blame for the conflict. One week after a ceasefire ended Israel's 12-day war with Iran, the two men also discussed Tehran's nuclear programme, with Macron suggesting Moscow and Paris work together to de-escalate tensions. Fighting still raged on the ground in Ukraine over three years after Russia's full-scale February 2022 invasion of its neighbour sparked the war, with efforts to agree a ceasefire at a standstill. Ukrainian drones hit the Russian city of Izhevsk on Tuesday, killing three people and wounding dozens in one of the deepest strikes inside Russia of the conflict, authorities said. The talks lasted for more than two hours and Macron and Putin agreed to hold more contacts on Ukraine and Iran in the future, the French presidency said. Macron "emphasised France's unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity" and "called for the establishment, as soon as possible, of a ceasefire and the launch of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia for a solid and lasting settlement of the conflict", said the Elysee Palace. A Kremlin statement said Putin reminded Macron that "the Ukrainian conflict is a direct consequence of the policy of Western states". Putin added that Western states had "for many years ignored Russia's security interests" and "created an anti-Russian bridgehead in Ukraine". The Kremlin said Putin told the French president that any peace deal should be "comprehensive and long-term, provide for the elimination of the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis and be based on new territorial realities." On Iran, "the two presidents decided to coordinate their efforts and to speak soon in order to follow up together on this issue", the French presidency added. Macron has previously urged Iran to ease tensions by moving to "zero enrichment" of uranium in its nuclear programme. Russia, which like France is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has a cordial relationship with Iran's clerical leadership and has long urged a diplomatic solution to the standoff over the Iranian nuclear programme. "He expressed his determination to seek a diplomatic solution that would allow for a lasting and demanding settlement of the nuclear issue, the question of Iran's missiles and its role in the region," the Elysee said. The Kremlin said Putin emphasised "the lawful right of Tehran in developing a civilian" nuclear programme. It said both presidents agreed that the conflict over Iran's nuclear programme and other Middle Eastern conflicts should be solved "exclusively" by diplomatic means and that the two leaders would "continue contacts" on this. The French leader tried in a series of phone calls in 2022 to warn Putin against invading Ukraine and travelled to Moscow early that year. He kept up phone contact with Putin after the invasion but talks then ceased, with the last call between the presidents dating back to September 2022. Macron has over the last year toughened his line against Russia, saying its expansionism is a threat to all of Europe. In April 2024, Russia's then defence minister Sergei Shoigu and French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu, a close confidant of Macron, held talks focused on security in the run-up to the Olympic Games in Paris. That was the last official high-level contact between the two countries. Izhevsk, more than 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from the front line, has arms production facilities including factories that make attack drones and the Kalashnikov rifle. A Ukraine security services source said Kyiv had targeted an Izhevsk-based drone manufacturer and that the attack had disrupted Moscow's "offensive potential". Russian forces in turn struck the town of Guliaipole in Ukraine's central Dnipropetrovsk region, causing "casualties and fatalities", Ukraine's southern defence forces said, without specifying numbers. Macron's call with Putin comes as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have stalled in recent weeks. Pressed by US President Donald Trump to find a solution, the two sides held direct talks almost a month ago but Moscow has since stepped up deadly strikes on Ukraine. Moscow's army has ravaged parts of east and south Ukraine while seizing large swathes of territory. An AFP analysis published Tuesday found that Russia dramatically ramped up aerial attacks in June, firing thousands of drones to pressure the war-torn country's stretched air defence systems and exhausted civilian population. Moreover, in June, Moscow made its biggest territorial gain since November while accelerating advances for a third consecutive month, according to another AFP analysis based on data from US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Israel fought a 12-day war with Iran over the Islamic republic's nuclear ambitions AFP Fighting is still raging between Russia and Ukraine after more than three years AFP
DW
8 hours ago
- DW
Germany: Danish citizen arrested for alleged Iran spying – DW – 07/01/2025
The man is suspected to have taken photos of buildings, possibly planning an attack on Jewish targets. Germany recently bolstered security around Jewish institutions for fear of such an attack taking place. A Danish citizen has been arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran, German prosecutors said Tuesday. According to the prosecutors, the man's suspected aim was to collect information on Jewish sites and individuals in Berlin. The man allegedly spied on three properties in June 2025, with him preparing for further intelligence activities, possibly terrorist attacks on Jewish targets, according to prosecutors. The statement did not specify the sites and individuals involved, although a report by German magazine said the suspect took pictures of houses, including the headquarters of the German-Israeli Society (DIG), a Germany-wide organization that promotes relations with Israel. The report also said the man had received orders from the Quds Force, the Revolutionary Guards' overseas arm that supports militant groups classified as terrorist organizations in Germany, such as Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as the Houthis in Yemen. Prosecutors said the man had "received an order from an Iranian intelligence service to collect information on Jewish localities and specific Jewish individuals" in the German capital. In accordance with German privacy law, the man was identified only as Ali S. His arrest took place in the Danish city of Aarhus in cooperation with local police, according to the prosecutors. The Iranian embassy has not yet responded to the allegations. While the ceasefire between Iran and Israel seems to be holding, Western intelligence agencies believe Iran is still trying to carry out attacks against Jewish and Israeli targets in Western countries. In Germany, where Jewish sites are often guarded by constant police presence due to fears of attacks, security was bolstered further after the war between Israel and Iran broke out. Germany is one of Israel's closest allies, while its relations with Iran are rather tense. In October 2024, all three Iranian consulates in Germany were shut in response to Iran's execution of Iranian-German prisoner Jamshid Sharmahd, leaving the Iranian embassy in Berlin as Tehran's only official representation in the country.
DW
11 hours ago
- DW
Airlines in turbulence as flight risks rise amid conflicts – DW – 07/01/2025
A range of global conflicts, from Ukraine to the Middle East, are reshaping global aviation. Airlines not only have to avoid certain airspaces but also be prepared for possible interference in their flight systems. The war between Iran and Israel in the Middle East has led to complications for airlines seeking to avoid the airspace whilst also complying with an ongoing Russian airspace ban. Although Iranian airspace has partially reopened following a ceasefire, data from flight tracking website flightradar24 shows that Western airlines are still largely avoiding flying over the country. Most are choosing routes skirting the country's western border, through Iraqi airspace, or over the Arabian peninsula. With Russia having barred Western planes from its skies since 2022, it's the latest example of how an era of rising global conflict is affecting the aviation sector. Another example came in April this year, when Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian carriers after India launched missile strikes on Pakistan, in a military campaign codenamed Operation Sindoor. Although Western airlines are not barred from Pakistani airspace, most currently choose to avoid it. Brendan Sobie, a Singapore-based aviation analyst, says airlines having to reroute due to conflict is nothing new, but he notes that things are especially "complicated" at present. "It's happened a few times now where we've had a lot of chunks of air space in close proximity to each other, close at the same time," he told DW. John Grant, chief analyst at the aviation data company OAG, agrees that there is "a lot more activity" at the moment. He says the Pakistan-India airspace closure is a particular problem for Air India as it means the company's planes must now make a stop during trips to the United States. What has been happening in the Middle East "absolutely is a problem," he argues, noting, however, that airlines have been "adjusting well," particularly by flying over the Arabian Peninsula. "Some people in Saudi Arabia have obviously been a lot busier than they're normally accustomed to, but it hasn't disrupted flight schedules," he told DW. "Aircraft is still arriving and departing on time, and the industry continues to manage its way through these things." In Grant's view, the complications caused by armed conflicts are part of the general unpredictability faced by airline managers all the time. "If we cast our minds back four or five years, the airlines had to deal with a pandemic, which was much worse than anything else," he said, adding that he doesn't believe though that the challenges of operating this year are very different to those of the last decade. "I think every airline CEO probably wakes up every morning, or at least his flight operations director wakes up and wonders what next event or activity in two years that's going to have to be managed and worked through." In terms of business bottom lines, Brendan Sobie says it is often the shorter haul flights that are worst affected by airspace closures. So, for example, the routes between Central Asian countries and the Middle East following the closure of Iranian airspace. "These tend to be short routes, two, three hours, and they become five, six hours, because usually the almost entire flight is over Iran, and you have to go all the way around," said Sobie. He added that repeated airspace closures "can be quite expensive" because of longer flights and the risk of cancelled flights, due to changed route paths. "It all adds cost." John Grant thinks that European airlines have had three years to adjust to the Russian airspace ban and have largely coped. But other factors, such as surging environmental taxes, are having just as detrimental an impact on airlines, making operations "too expensive," with the arising cost getting "passed on to the traveler." Yet, the perception that global conflict is impacting aviation safety is clearly a concern. Nick Careen, senior vice president for operations, safety and security at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) — an airline trade body — wrote an article in late June for the IATA website titled "Operating Safely in a More Conflict-Ridden World." With a reference to the downing of Azerbaijan Airlines flight 8243 last December, he wrote: "Recent conflict in the Middle East understandably has passengers asking what measures are in place to keep flying safe when there are military activities including missile launches." Investigations suggest it was shot down by a Russian missile. Careen raised the specific issue of interference with airplane navigation systems as "a further complication." There has been a "surge in incidents," he said, where "parties in conflict use radio signals to jam the GPS signals that airliners use for navigation," particularly in areas bordering conflict zones. Flightradar24's GPS jamming map shows a map of the world divided into areas of low and high GPS interference. The area with the highest level of interference is a circle stretching from the Baltic states, across Ukraine and Russia, and down towards Turkey and parts of the Middle East. Grant notes that GPS jamming is "another potential risk" to the airline industry," but adds that airlines are "extremely conscious of this and have more than one system for navigating their way through these pieces of airspace." A study by the OPS Group, an international flight operations membership organization, reported a 500% increase in so-called "GPS Spoofing" between 2023 and 2024. GPS spoofing is where a GPS receiver is manipulated and receives false GPS Information. Grant thinks the practice is undoubtedly on the rise, but cautions that airlines have robust mechanisms in place to guard against the risks it poses. "The whole industry works on a basis of minimizing every potential risk," he said, adding: "Airlines are very good at controlling what they can control. But there are always uncontrollable factors."
