'West to blame for Ukraine conflict': Putin tells Macron in first call since 2022, demands 'long-term' peace deal
Russian President Vladimir Putin told
French President
Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday that the West bears responsibility for the war in Ukraine, the Kremlin said, during their first known phone conversation since September 2022.
In the call, which marked a rare direct contact between the Russian leader and a major Western counterpart, Putin said the conflict was 'a direct consequence of the policy of Western states,' accusing them of ignoring Russia's security concerns and turning Ukraine into 'an anti-Russian bridgehead.'
According to the Kremlin's readout, Putin insisted that any future peace agreement must be 'comprehensive and long-term,' rooted in addressing the 'root causes' of the crisis and acknowledging 'new territorial realities', a reference to Russia's continued occupation of Ukrainian land.
The Kremlin added that Putin "reminded" Macron of the years-long build-up to the war, laying blame on Nato expansion and Western military support for Ukraine.
The French presidency, in its own statement, said Macron urged Putin to agree to a ceasefire 'as soon as possible' and reiterated France's support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Macron also called for negotiations toward a 'solid and lasting' resolution to the war.
The call also touched on Iran's nuclear program, with Putin saying Tehran has the right to develop a peaceful program. Both leaders agreed to pursue diplomacy on the issue and maintain contact in the coming weeks.
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