Macron says Putin talks are not ‘a matter of the next few days’
Macron explained why it is not worth rushing to start negotiations with Russia. (Photo: REUTERS/Benoit Tessier)
A possible dialogue with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin
will require time and is not “a matter of the next few days,” as preparations
continue and European partners coordinate their positions, French President
Emmanuel Macron told Le
Figaro on Feb. 12.
Macron said any contacts must be agreed upon with European
partners and carefully organized.
“It is not a matter of the next few days, we are preparing
everything. I think that right now we must focus on ourselves, on what we want
to ask for,” he said.
The newspaper noted that in December the French president
had spoken of his intention to resume direct contacts with Putin, which were
halted because of the war in Ukraine.
In early February, his diplomatic adviser traveled to Moscow
to prepare a possible dialogue. Macron believes European Union countries should
jointly prepare for such a conversation in order to “be ready at the right
time.”
“And what do we want? We want security guarantees for Ukraine,
but we also want certain things for Europeans,” he said.
Macron added that Europe wants to discuss broader issues —
security on the continent, economic development and the future architecture of
European security.
On Dec. 21, 2025, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the
Russian dictator was ready for negotiations with Macron “if there is mutual
political will.”
On Feb. 3, 2026, Macron said preparations to resume dialogue
between Europeans and Putin were continuing at a “technical level,” despite
Russia’s lack of real readiness for peace negotiations.
On Feb. 4, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii
Tykhyi said during a briefing that he was confident Macron, in any possible
conversation with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, would uphold the right
positions on ending the war.
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