BRUSSELS – French President Emmanuel Macron urged European leaders to proactively prepare for potential negotiations with Russia, signaling a shift towards strategic readiness even as active peace talks remain distant. The call came during closing remarks following a retreat at Alden Biesen, Belgium, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
Macron emphasized the need for Europe to organize itself collectively, establishing unified security guarantees and common negotiating positions in anticipation of future dialogue with Moscow. He cautioned that the current focus should be on preparation, not the pursuit of immediate diplomatic breakthroughs, acknowledging that the war in Ukraine is not nearing a swift conclusion.
The French President’s remarks follow a recent visit by his diplomatic advisor, Emmanuel Bonne, to Moscow earlier this month. While details of the meeting remain largely undisclosed, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dismissed the French efforts as “pathetic diplomacy,” stating that Vladimir Putin remains open to serious conversation but only if approached with genuine intent. Lavrov indicated Putin would “always pick up the phone” for serious proposals, according to reports from Politico.eu.
Macron had previously faced criticism for maintaining communication with Putin following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but subsequently ceased direct contact, prioritizing support for Kyiv. His renewed emphasis on the need for European engagement with Russia comes amid concerns about the potential for a shifting transatlantic relationship and a desire for the EU to assert greater autonomy in its security policy.
In early February, Macron announced preparations to resume contact with Putin, stressing that Moscow had not demonstrated a “real willingness” to negotiate a ceasefire. He stated that such dialogue was necessary to negotiate security guarantees in a post-war context, and that these preparations were being conducted “transparently” in consultation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European allies, as reported by Le Monde.
The move as well comes after Macron suggested last year that Europe should independently reach out to Putin, rather than relying solely on the United States to lead negotiations. This position reflects a broader debate within the EU regarding the appropriate strategy for dealing with Russia, with some member states advocating for a more cautious approach. France24 reported Macron’s desire for a “European approach” to dialogue with Putin, signaling a desire for a unified continental strategy.
Despite Macron’s call for preparation, no specific timeframe for resuming direct contact with Putin has been announced. The Kremlin has remained largely silent on the prospect of renewed dialogue, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov offering only a statement of “solidarity” with French efforts to avoid confirming Bonne’s visit to Moscow.
