French President Emanuel Macron had a new 90-minute telephone conversation today with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, as reported by Elysee. Macron then called his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.

According to the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin said the goals of the Russian military operation in Ukraine will be achieved.

In response, the French president pointed out to Putin that he was deluding himself about the government in Kyiv and that the war would cost Russia dearly in the long run, a French official told Reuters.
“You are lying to yourself,” Macron was quoted as saying to Putin. “It will cost your country dearly, your country will end up isolated, weakened, and subject to sanctions for a long time.”

The phone call with Putin is the fourth between the two men since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

Shortly after the end of the conversation, President Macron seems to have stated, according to the French agency, that “the worst is coming for Ukraine”, referring to the persistence and unwavering stance of the Russian president.

The communication was made “at the request of President Putin,” French Prime Minister Jean-Castex later told TF1. “The situation on the ground is undoubtedly very unfavorable,” he added. “It is acceptable”.

“When facing Moscow we must be very strict on the principles and sanctions,” he said, adding that “peace through dialogue” is “very difficult”.

The Macron-Putin communication was announced live this morning by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during an online press conference.

“France has a long tradition of being a mediator in the conflicts,” Lavrov said, adding that Moscow would be “very happy” if France succeeded in the mission of the Ukraine-Russia negotiations.

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