In a rare phone conversation, the defense ministers of France and Russia discussed the recent attack in Moscow claimed by Islamic State and Russia’s war against Ukraine. French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu expressed France’s readiness to combat terrorism and proposed increased exchanges to effectively fight this threat. Russian President Vladimir Putin attributed the attack to “radical Islamists” but suggested they were linked to Ukraine, a claim which France refuted as they had no information to establish a connection. Lecornu also condemned Russia’s “war of aggression” in Ukraine and reaffirmed France’s support for Ukraine in their fight for freedom and sovereignty.
French President Emmanuel Macron had previously offered increased cooperation to Russian security services and had tried to warn Putin against invading Ukraine through phone calls and a visit to Moscow in early 2022. Despite ongoing phone contact with Putin even after the invasion began, talks between the two leaders have ceased, with the last phone conversation dating back to September 2022. Macron has recently taken a tougher stance against Russia, indicating that France may consider deploying troops in Ukraine. The defense ministers of France and Russia had previously spoken in October 2022, signaling a break in communication until the recent rare phone conversation.
France has always stood ready to combat terrorism and expressed its willingness to engage in exchanges with Russia to effectively address this threat. The connection between the attack in Moscow and Ukraine, suggested by Putin, was refuted by France due to lack of evidence supporting such a link. France condemned Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and reiterated its support for Ukraine’s fight for freedom and sovereignty, emphasizing the importance of bringing peace and security to the European continent. The French government’s statement underscored their commitment to assisting Ukraine for as long as necessary.
President Macron’s efforts to engage with Putin in an attempt to prevent the invasion of Ukraine and subsequent escalation of the conflict have been ongoing since 2022. Despite warnings and conversations with Putin, communication between the two leaders has stalled, raising concerns about the future of diplomatic relations. Macron’s recent statements indicate a shift towards a more assertive stance against Russia, including the possibility of deploying troops in Ukraine. The defense ministers’ rare phone conversation serves as a potential re-engagement in dialogue between France and Russia, offering a glimmer of hope for renewed diplomatic efforts to address the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
The phone conversation between the defense ministers of France and Russia marks a significant development in their bilateral relations, particularly in the context of the conflict in Ukraine and the recent attack in Moscow. France’s steadfast commitment to combatting terrorism and supporting Ukraine in its fight for freedom and sovereignty has been reiterated through this communication. The rejection of any connection between the attack in Moscow and Ukraine by France underscores their commitment to addressing the root causes of terrorism and preventing the spread of violence. These diplomatic efforts reflect the importance of international cooperation in addressing complex security challenges and promoting peace and stability in the region.
