Kremlin Signals Openness to Talks
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Sunday, December 21, 2025, that Russian President Vladimir Putin is prepared to engage in dialogue with French President Emmanuel Macron. The condition for such engagement, according to Peskov, is the presence of 'mutual political will' from both sides. This announcement was made to the state news agency RIA Novosti.
Peskov emphasized that if such mutual political will exists, the prospect of dialogue 'can only be viewed positively.' He further clarified that any potential discussions should aim for a mutual understanding of positions, rather than serving as a platform for lecturing.
Macron's Call for European Engagement
The Kremlin's statement comes in direct response to remarks made by President Macron on Friday, December 19, 2025. Following a European Union summit in Brussels, Macron expressed his belief that it would be 'useful' for Europe to re-engage with President Putin.
Macron highlighted the importance of Europe finding its own framework for discussions with Russia, particularly to avoid being sidelined in peace efforts, some of which are currently led by the United States. He stressed that a 'robust and lasting peace' for Ukraine remains the ultimate goal.
Elysee Palace Welcomes Development
The French presidency, through the Elysee Palace, welcomed Moscow's willingness to hold talks. They indicated that Paris would determine the specific conditions and best way to proceed in the coming days. The Elysee also stressed that any discussions with Moscow would be conducted 'in full transparency' with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European allies.
Recent and Historical Context of Dialogue
Direct communication between European leaders and President Putin has been largely suspended since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Most EU countries, with the notable exceptions of Hungary and Slovakia, have severed communication with the Russian leader.
The last direct phone call between Putin and Macron occurred on July 1, 2025, lasting over two hours. This marked their first direct contact in nearly three years and focused on potential solutions for the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East. During that call, Macron urged a ceasefire, while Putin emphasized the need for any peace deal to address the 'root causes' of the crisis and 'new territorial realities.'
5 Comments
Michelangelo
Any talks are better than no talks. Hope this leads to real de-escalation.
Leonardo
This could be the very beginning of a genuine peace process. My hopes are high for Ukraine.
Michelangelo
Good to see both sides indicating a willingness to engage. Diplomacy is truly the only way out of this.
Donatello
Dialogue legitimizes aggression. There should be no talks until full withdrawal from Ukrainian territory!
Michelangelo
While dialogue is crucial to prevent further escalation, one must question Putin's sincerity given his past actions and demands for 'new territorial realities.' It's an incredibly delicate balance to strike.