Moscow, Russia – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that President Vladimir Putin is ready to accept French President Emmanuel Macron’s invitation
for serious discussions, signaling the possibility of reopening political dialogue channels
between Moscow and Paris amid escalating international tensions.
In remarks carried by Russian media, Lavrov clarified that Moscow does not reject dialogue
with European countries, emphasizing that Russia has always been
and remains open to any communication based on mutual respect and consideration of mutual interests.
Growing tension in Russian-European relations
He added that President Putin is prepared to discuss contentious issues directly
and frankly if the French side demonstrates genuine political will.
These statements come at a time of heightened tension in Russian-European relations,
stemming from the war in Ukraine, Western sanctions imposed on Moscow,
and France’s role within NATO and the European Union in providing political and military support to Kyiv.
Despite this, Lavrov stressed that dialogue remains the most effective
means of preventing further escalation and a slide into a wider confrontation.
The Russian Foreign Minister stressed that any potential meeting between Putin and Macron should not be merely
a formality or a protocol exercise, but rather a serious and frank discussion addressing the root causes of the current crisis,
including issues of European security, the balance of interests, and the future of relations between Russia and the West.
Policies of dictation or pressure
He also emphasized that Moscow rejects policies of dictates or pressure and adheres to the principle of parity in international relations.
For his part, the French President had previously hinted at the importance of keeping communication channels open with Moscow,
arguing that completely isolating Russia does not serve long-term European stability.
These exchanges are interpreted as a tentative attempt to explore opportunities for de-escalation,
given the growing awareness of the cost of a political and diplomatic rupture.
Observers believe that any potential dialogue between Putin and Macron, should it take place,
could constitute a genuine test of the possibility of reviving the diplomatic track
between Russia and Europe, despite the depth of the disagreements and the complexity of the outstanding issues.
