Paris is satisfied with Putin’s readiness for dialogue with Macron – the Élysée Palace

Paris is satisfied with statements about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s readiness for dialogue with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.

This was said by the Élysée Palace, commenting on remarks by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov that Putin is ready for dialogue with Macron.

According to the statement, the Élysée Palace administration will work out the details of a possible dialogue in the coming days.

French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking after the EU summit in Brussels, said that the time has come for Europe to resume dialogue with Russia.

“Either a lasting peace will be achieved through the current negotiations, or we will find ways to resume dialogue between Europeans and Russia—under conditions of transparency and in cooperation with Ukraine. Then it will again be useful to talk to Vladimir Putin,” the French leader told journalists on December 19.

He said Europeans, like Ukraine, are interested in finding an appropriate basis for resuming such contacts.

“Otherwise, we will discuss it among ourselves, and the negotiators will then go and reach agreements with the Russians on their own. That is not the best option,” the French president explained.

The day before, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Putin is ready to hold a dialogue with French President Emmanuel Macron, and that if there is mutual political will, the French leader’s intentions can only be viewed positively.

“He said he is ready to speak with Putin. Here it is very important, probably, to recall what the president said during the direct line. He also expressed readiness to hold a dialogue with Macron. Therefore, if there is mutual political will, this can only be assessed positively,” Peskov said, commenting on Macron’s statement.